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Foreign players have scored more number of goals for their sides and made noticeable impact in the competition thus far. They have dominated the NFL and the re-christened I-Leagues and have won the titles for their sides single-handedly and have cornered all the glory. Therefore, all top-ranked clubs vie with each other to open their purses (according to the means available) to lure the foreigners with the sole objective of winning the title and if not at least maintain a decent standing in the league table.
It would therefore be prudent to analyze as to what impact some of these foreign footballers can make in the competition this year and contribute to their club’s cause –
1. Odafa Onieka Okolie (Churchill Brothers) –
This man is now the most successful and consistent goal-scoring machine and
a terror to the opposition. Odafa has been the highest scorer in the I-League
for the past three years and is a serious contender for this year’s title too. He has perhaps single-handedly won the title for his side in the 2008-09 season as also the IFA Shield and the Durand Cup this year. It is difficult for any side to mark him from scoring unless he is countered with a set of defender who can play exceptionally well or has himself “a bad day in office” in any of the crucial matches.
2. Ogba Kalu Nnanna (Churchill Brothers) – A powerhouse in the midfield zone is capable of dictating the play right from start to finish. Does ably support his two other fellow Nigerians, Felix Chimawuku in defense as also Odafa Okolie upfront. Is also a prolific goal-scorer in his own right.
3. Felix Chimawuku (Churchill Brothers) – A big-bodied defender who can fearlessly tackle and win most of them with consummate ease. Is also capable of stealthily moving upfront to score from unexpected situations.
The above-named three players had scored 44 goals out of a total 53 goals scored by the side last year.
4. Marcos Periera (Mohun Bagan) – A slightly aged midfielder. Has limited skills but covers the deficiency with passion and determination. His free kicks from in and around the opponent’s box could spell doom for the opposition.
5. Jose Ramirez Barreto (Mohun Bagan) – Perhaps the best foreigner to have played in the country. Has mellowed down with age and is not the same strike force as he was in his heydays. However, is extremely sincere in his approach to the game and continues to be seriously marked and watched by the opposing defenders.
6. Chiddi Edeh (Mohun Bagan) – This import from JCT has grooved himself with the side and in tandem with Barreto upfront could spell terror for the opposition. His ungainly style of movement is very deceptive for the defenders. His quick burst in the penetrative zone and lurking attitude has brought him quite a few winning goals.
7. Elijah Obagbemiro Junior (Sporting Clube de Goa) – A very promising youngster who had helped the Club last year and at one stage projected the side as a serious title contender. He had scored a total of 10 goals last year with exemplary play in the first leg of the I-League. Somehow, could not maintain the tempo and consistency in the 2nd leg when it mattered most.
8. Michael Tayo (Sporting Clube de Goa) – This ex-Air India forward could play better alongside Junior. Michael Tayo’s last season with Air India was quite ordinary, as he had managed to score only 3 goals in the entire competition.
9. Nathaneil Amos (Sporting Clube de Goa) – Was also there with the side last year and just about managed to score 4 goals in all of the 22 matches. Could team up well with Elijah Junior and Michael Tayo to create an impact for the side.
10. Robert Mendes Silva (Dempo S C) – Beto to his fans and colleagues, this old warhorse has assisted the side creditably. Had scored 6 goals last year and had teamed up well with Ranty Martins to perform creditably in the Asian circuit.
11. Ranty Martins Soleye (Dempo S C) – Another successful foreigner to create an impact in the competition having scored 12 goals in the last edition of the I-League. With the inclusion of Sunil Chetri upfront, could create an impact in this year’s competition.
There is however no third foreigner as Mboyo Iyomi who had scored 3 goals last year all against Churchill Brothers was not offered a fresh contract this year.
Also. Mumbai FC owners, the Essel Group smarting from losses and economic recession have not renewed the contracts of their 3 foreigners, Abel Hammond, Felix Aboyagye and James Dissiramah and have signed in a Japanese striker, Kayne Vincent and Criag D’Souza, a PIO instead, details and track records of the two are unavailable.
12. N. D. Opara (Air India) – The Nigerian is the lone foreigner in the side and this is his first year in the Indian circuit. Not much is available about his game.
13. Lamine Tamba (Mahindra United) – This is the first year for this Senegalese import. Was seen performing in the IFA Shield and the Durand Cup but failed to make any noticeable impact.
14. Svetozmar Mijin (Mahindra United) – This Serbian has been a revelation in the IFA Shield and the Durand Cup. A tall and powerfully built midfielder with accurate ball-distributing ability he is a great boon for any side. Will be a promising player in this year’s edition of the I-League.
15. Subair Muritala Ali (Mahindra United) – Has come over from Chirag United to play for this Club but did not make much of an impact in either the IFA Shield or the Durand Cup. However could blossom with time and with Mijin providing the right passes.
16. Penn Ikechukwu Orji (JCT) – The Nigerian is the newest recruit for the side and the lone foreigner playing as a central midfielder. Not much is known about him.
17. James Giblee (Lajong FC) – The Liberian has joined the side this year and plays in the central midfield and the right wing position. Not much is known about him.
18. Bidemi Daniel (Lajong FC) – The newest addition from Chirag United can play both in the central midfield as also in the central defense. Helped Chirag last year to avoid relegation and had scored a couple of goals for the side.
19. Michael Bassey (Lajong FC) – Another fresh recruit from Nigeria who can play both as a defensive midfielder and a central midfielder.
20. Izumi Arata (Pune FC) – The Japanese PIO has moved from Mahindra United to Pune FC. Did not make much of an impact in the last year’s competition.
21. Edmar Figuera (Pune FC) – The Brazilian has been the latest to play in the Indian circuit. In his mid-20s could blossom into a competent center forward with time and experience.
22. Wali Chika (Pune FC) – This 19 years old over six-foot 90 kilo Nigerian plays as a central defender could prove to be a stumbling block for the opponent forward line.
23. Djidjia Douhou Pierre (Pune FC) – A old warhorse from Mahindra United from Didier Drogba’s land (Ivory Coast) plays as an attacking medio and had scored 3 goals last season.
24. Raman Patrick Sisupalan (Viva Kerala) – The PIO from England plays as a central midfielder. Not much is known about his playing prowess.
25. Charles Dzisah (Viva Kerala) – This Ghananian plays as a central defender and not much is known about him.
26. Bello Rasaq (Viva Kerala) – The Nigerian plays as a central defender and also in
the orthodox right back position. Assisted the side in the NFL-II version.
27. Ruben Senyo (Viva Kerala) - Another Ghananian who plays as a center forward and not much is known about him.
28. Luciano Sabrosa (Salgaocar S C) –
An old warhorse, this Brazilian has been playing in the Indian circuit for quite
some time. Not much is expected in terms of creating an impact in this year’s
competition.
Another I-League team, Chirag United has signed up Edmilson Pardel from
Kingfisher East Bengal besides having the dependable central defender, Eduardu
Chacon (ex-MMB and ex-Salgaoncar). As such, they have yet to fill up the lone
foreigner slot besides the Asian and PIO slots.
No players from Kingfisher East Bengal Club feature in this article as the Club has
still to induct replacements for Edmilson, Jan Berger and Sebastian, the foreigners
initially registered to play for the club this season. Talks are on to recruit a few
after suitable trials. Julius Akpele could be a prospective buy from JCT.This would
be his sixth year in Inain National league if he signs for East Bengal.
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