Odafa Okolie is a Nigerian footballer who joined McDowell Mohun Bagan at the start of the 2011-12 season, as a forward. No stranger to Indian football, Odafa was a member of the Churchill Brothers team for the past six years. He came to India in 2002 and joined Mohammedan Sporting. He then played for Peerless before joining Muktijoddha, a Bangladeshi club.

Odafa says he always played football as a kid. He loved the game and dreamt of becoming a professional player but his mother wanted him to go to school because he was the youngest in the family. His father nevertheless supported him to play. He says that now, his mother is very proud of him.

He owes his 'birth' as a striker to his Muktijoddha coach. Prior to his Bangladeshi stint, he played as either in defence or the midfield. His coach helped him find his true voice as a striker and he switched positions thereafter.

Since joining the club, Odafa says nobody has disturbed him and feels respected here. He adds that he was very tired of people giving him a tough time before but it does not happen here at McDowell Mohun Bagan.

Scoring the only goal in the I-League encounter against Kingfisher East Bengal is the most special moment of Odafa's Mohun Bagan career. He adds that the rivalry between the two clubs is fierce and the team which wins earns the bragging rights until the next derby. Odafa also enjoyed the Churchill match where he scored a hat-trick.

" To play football, one needs a lot of self-confidence. One must also listen to people who have experience, especially your coaches and mentors. Footballers tend to be inclined towards a fancy life; listening to experienced people helps a footballer maintain balance between football and lifestyle. "

Odafa likes to stay at home with his family and play video games. He is a big fan of all sorts of video games.