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FC Pune City’s star striker MacPherlin Dudu Omagbemi, otherwise known as just Dudu, has had a long journey in football. Having signed for Sporting Club de Goa in 2001, he went on to become one of the I-League’s top goal scorers and having accomplished everything with the Goan club, found new pastures.
In fact, rejecting a call up for the 2008 Olympics squad to help Nigeria, which finished runners-up, he joined the Hungarian champions Debreceni VSC. The next six years of his life were spent in various leagues in Europe and that culminated with his joining Salgaocar FC back in India and thereafter moving to East Bengal.
The 29-year-old may be a veteran in Indian conditions but has taken time to find his feet with Pune. Scoring a single goal in the campaign so far, his contribution may seem overstated but there’s more than just numbers to his game. Known for having excellent fitness, his ability to retain possession and nick balls of defenders to set up attacks help take an immense workload off of his teammates.
"It feels good to be a part of FC Pune City. The training methods are different from what I am used to, but I am hopeful of adjusting to this very quickly. The team looks in good shape and I am happy to be training under a great coach and playing with talented players," said Dudu after having signed for the club.
His coach at Pune, Franco Colomba also commented on how good an asset Dudu can be. “It's good that we have got our fourth forward in the form of Dudu. He is fast and is technically sound and can play alongside (David) Trezeguet and can also be a good change for him,” Colomba said.
Travelling without the experienced Trezeguet, Dudu had the immense responsibility to lead an attacking line against Atletico de Kolkata in their own backyard. He repaid the coach’s faith immediately in the match by scoring a first-half header which set up his team’s unlikely victory.
“We came here with great determination. We wanted to win. We have got three points, so we can go home happy,” said the ecstatic striker after his team’s triumph. Stand-in captain on the night Bruno Cirillo added to the Nigerian’s praise. “David (Trezeguet) is a great player, but his absence was Dudu’s opportunity. I am very happy for him. He did a great job.”
Pune’s last victory was ironically against the same opponents who were humiliated in front of their own fans and Dudu knows fully well they are in to exact revenge. The Nigerian striker will be well aware of what challenge he and his teammates will face. With only four matches remaining, it is time for Pune and Dudu to prove any doubters wrong with their ability to cement a top-four place.
