Dudu Omagbemi: I was given the chances & I used them well

MacPherlin Dudu Omagbemi put his best foot forward by knocking in two goals to help FC Pune City down Mumbai City FC and propel his franchise into the top four of the Hero Indian Super League while keeping their hopes alive for a place in the semis with two games in hand.


The burly 29-year-old Nigerian striker, who won the Hero of the Match award for his effort, is a familiar face in Indian football circles. He began his professional career with Sporting Clube de Goa in 2001 and even emerged as the top scorer in the National Football League in 2004-05 before leaving for Europe where he tasted success in Poland, Finland and Hungary.


Dudu returned to I-League action with Salgaocar early this year. At the start of the current season he signed on for East Bengal before being loaned out to Pune City for whom he has scored three goals in 10 outings. indiansuperleague.com caught up with Dudu Omagbemi and had this exclusive post match interview:


What did the coach tell you before the match?
He told me about some tactical moves that I have to do and we really tried to do it in the first half; in the second half he told me to keep going and I think I did exactly what he said and it worked pretty well.


The opposition players were complaining about your (first) goal. What is your take on that?
I don’t understand why they have to blame me. I was down already and the ball was still in play, I thought the ball had gone out but it had not. I stood up and I saw the ball which was very close to me, I raised my hand and he (Kostas) crossed the ball so I have to use these chances. I don’t know why they’re still blaming me.


How do you feel about being Pune’s main striker?
It feels really good because you have to use the opportunity you’ve been given.  I was given the opportunity, the chances, and I’ve used them well. I think today was a very important game and the coach came and told me before the game that ‘today’s your day’.


Your performances are keeping David Trezeguet and Joaquim Abranches out of action. What do you have to say about that?
 I think I’m really working hard towards getting into the starting line-up and it’s the coach’s decision; and I think he made the right decision and I’m playing well.


Source: indiansuperleague.com