'Nobody puts any pressure on me, here' : Odafa Okolie

Odafa Okolie, a prolific goal scorer joined McDowell Mohun Bagan earlier this season and has already scored 21 goals in 21 matches. He has been the top scorer of I-League in 4 consecutive seasons while playing for Churchill Brothers. So far, in this year's I-League, he has scored 16 goals.

We had a chat with him in Kochi.


MMB: Congrats Odafa on scoring 2 goals yesterday.

Odafa: Thank you. It was a team effort due to which we got 3 points yesterday. I am happy to have scored 2 goals.


MMB: Which has been your best goal for Mohun Bagan this year?

Odafa: (After a brief pause) It is impossible to select one goal, my friend. All the goals have been important, it is difficult to chose just one goal, but yes, scoring against East Bengal in both the matches was definitely special.


MMB: Do you feel there is more pressure playing in Kolkata compared to Goa?

Odafa: No, nobody puts any pressure on me, here. Even if we lose 1-2 matches, the Mohun Bagan officials have always been there beside us, but yes, definitely it makes me sad when my team loses. Even when I was in Churchill, if they lose, I would feel bad, but yes, sometimes in Kolkata, small things are blown out of proportion, but I have no problem playing here; I have enjoyed a very good relationship with the Mohun Bagan officials and my team mates.


MMB: What are the chances, according to you, of McDowell Mohun Bagan winning the I-League this season?

Odafa: We still have a good chance of winning the I-League. There is not much of a difference in terms of points between 3-4 teams, but yes, we cannot afford to lose points from now on.



MMB: You have been successful and scoring lots of goals in the last 5-6 years. What is the recipe of your success?

Odafa: (smiling) God has been great with me. Yeah, I have scored a lot of goals in Goa, even this year, I have been scoring. In fact, I try hard to score in every match, but that is not always possible.


MMB: Who have been your favourite striking partners?

Odafa: Felix, Jose Barreto, Sunil Chhetri.




MMB: Which defender has troubled you the most so far?

Odafa: No one. Actually, I don't see who is my opponent. I try to play my natural game against all opponents, and the defenders also try hard to stop me from scoring.


MMB: How has been your stay in Kolkata so far?

Odafa: Fantastic. My good friend, Felix, is here, so I have a good time with him and my family. I am enjoying playing in Mohun Bagan.


MMB: Thanks Odafa for talking with us and best of luck for the upcoming derby match.

Odafa: Thank you.