Celtic have been linked with the Nigerian Premier League’s top scorer Stephen Odey www.soka25east.com can confirm.This is according to renown African football Journalist Collins Okinyo who goes by the name bedjosessien on twitter and has spoken a lot about African players linked to Celtic.
19-year-old Odey plays for MFM in his country’s top flight, has already received an official letter of invitation for medical evaluation.Stephen Odey scored his first career hat-trick in January 2017 against Lobi Stars.
Brendan Rodgers has been impressed with the striker who has so far scored 14 goals and offering him a chance for trials says a lot about the calibre of the player who has never played outside Africa.
Hoops had been heavily linked by another Nigerian striker Henry Onyekuru but things have not worked out as expected.
Odey is pacy,strong,intelligent and a great goal poacher a rough diamond that would be valuable for the hoops considering his age and potential.
When Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries FC narrowly avoided the drop from the Nigerian Professional Football League last season, few were surprised that the new boys had flown close to the wind. However, they’ve learned their lessons and have began the new season strongly, with star forward Stephen Odey performing with the kind of class that suggests that MFM FC are set for a more successful campaign this time around.
The Olukoya Boys secured a hard-fought 2-1 home victory against table toppers Plateau United thanks to an Odey brace which took his tally for the season to 10 goals. He bagged nine goals for the whole of last season but to reach double digits already after just 10 games highlights the youngster’s quality. The win also lifts MFM up to second place, one point from the summit of the NPFL table with a game in hand.
Coach Fidelis Ilechukwu has been full of praise for Odey, often describing him as the best player in the world. Doubtless, the youngster’s form will be key to any success MFM FC enjoy this season.
Asides from burying the ball in the back of the net, Odey’s technique sets him apart from other NPFL strikers. He has scored extra-ordinary goals, boosting morale on the terraces, and has developed an exciting partnership with Sikiru Olatunbosun.
From all indications, it does not look like the Lagos-based team would falter in the manner they did previously. They are in a much stronger position now compared to last season, and with motivation so high, they can only keep improving as long as squad harmony remains intact.
When Nigeria Super Eagles boss Gernot Rohr named his squad for the upcoming international friendlies against Senegal and Burkina Faso, there was displeasure with the German not selecting enough home-based players. While there were question marks over some of the players Rohr did pick, one NPFL player who did merit a call was Odey.
Of all the forwards chosen by Rohr for the friendlies, no one is in better form than Odey. Some think it is too early to call him up to the Super Eagles camp as he might falter on the big stage having had no previous experience, but if the chance was given to him, he’s surely primed to make the most of it.
Ex- CAF Media Expert. An expert on African football with over 15 years experience ,always with an ear to the ground with indepth knowledge of the game. I have worked for top publications including 7 years at www.supersport.com until i founded www.soka25east.com to quench the thirst of football lovers across the continent. I have trained young upcoming journalists who are now a voice in African football.I have covered World Cup,AFCON,CHAN,Champions League,Confederations Cup,Cecafa,Cosafa,Wafu and many other football tournaments across the World. Founder Football Africa Arena(FAA),Founder www.afrisportdigital.com