Nigerian striker Bartholomew Ogbeche has stated he would love to continue at Hyderabad FC in the next season of the Hero Indian Super League but understands the decision is not in his hands. The talisman scored 18 goals in 20 matches he played for Hyderabad FC and played an instrumental role in taking his team to glory in Hero ISL 2021-22 season.
Thus, he was also awarded the Golden Boot award for his special performance. The Nigerian took a total of 32 shots on target in the recently concluded season of the league. Hyderabad had beaten Kerala Blasters FC by 3-1 on penalties in the final after the match had ended in a 1-1 draw following the extra time.
Ogbeche has now scored 53 goals in 77 matches of the Hero ISL and he is now the leading goal-scorer in the tourney.
“I would love to continue with Hyderabad FC but it is not in my hands, it is in the hands of the management but I would love to continue, for now, I am enjoying the moment as it has been a glorious achievement for all of us and not the time to talk about the future,” Ogbeche was quoted as saying by IFTWC.com.
Meanwhile, Ogbeche had also claimed the League Winners Shield with Mumbai City FC and the Hero ISL title with the Islanders in the 2020-21 season. The Nigerian revealed he had no doubts when Hyderabad FC offered him a contract.
“Hyderabad was one of the very first teams which approached me when I was available in the market, I never had any doubts regarding the club as I was also a very big fan of the team last season when I watched the way they played, it was really difficult to see that they missed out the top four, but I was happy in a way because we wanted to avoid them as well in the playoffs,” Ogbeche said.
“When I had the opportunity to come here, I grabbed it and I appreciate coming here. We have a lot of leaders in the team on the field, we have the front line, the middle line, and the back, so it makes everything very easy to raise the confidence of the youngsters around us. Hyderabad’s style of play was similar to my style of play so it was easy to adapt and we were able to show our strength on the field,” he added.
The 37-year old is still going strong as he is fit as a fiddle and it would be interesting whether the club will extend his contract.
