Odafa: Most wanted striker

Notwithstanding the recession, Churchill Brothers’ Onyeka Odafa Okolie may smash a crucial price barrier during the season-end transfer of 2009-2010. According to sources in Kolkata Maidan, the budget could be stretched to even a crore for this Nigerian striker. Clubs such as East Bengal, Mohun Bagan, Mahindra United and Dempo SC have him on their wish list.

Odafa, on way to becoming the top scorer in the national league for the third year in succession, will surely be the hottest player during the first transfer window of the new season.

“Everyone wants to have him in the side and are ready shell out big but we will decide only after we finish our league engagements this season,” Mohun Bagan general secretary Anjan Mitra told DNA on Friday, refusing to divulge the amount they are ready to offer.

Another official from a Kolkata-based club, wishing to remain anonymous, said that they are ready to spend as much as Rs90 lakh for the striker. “He is a superb scorer and we will rope him in at any cost.”

Odafa has outclassed other forwards in the penetrating zone for the last three years. After the 21st round, Odafa is leading the scorers’ tally with 24 goals. Felix Chimaokwu (Churchill Brothers) and Ranty Martins (Dempo SC) come next with 11 goals.

Starting his Indian sojourn in 2004, Odafa never had to look back though he had some anxious years with Mohammedan Sporting of Kolkata and Bangladeshi side Muktijoddha. However, he won’t be the first footballer to touch the Rs1 crore base in India. Mahindra United defender Mahesh Gawli was signed for close to Rs1.25 crore for a three-year term.