Four reasons why Bartholomew Ogbeche will succeed at Hyderabad FC

The Nigerian attacker won the Indian Super League with Mumbai City FC in the 2020-21 season.

Indian Super League outfit Hyderabad FC have roped in Bartholomew Ogbeche from Mumbai City FC. The Nigerian joins the Nizams after helping the Islanders to their maiden ISL crown during the 2020/21 season. This is a statement of intent from Hyderabad, who will look to finally qualify into the playoffs, after losing out on it narrowly in the previous campaign.

The 36-year-old striker has signed a one-year contract with the club, ensuring his stay until the end of 2021/22 season. Ogbeche brings many positives to a team, which is looking forward to a brilliant future.

It will be interesting to see how Manolo Marquez uses the new recruit in his plans. Having said that, here are five reasons why Bartholomew Ogbeche will succeed at Hyderabad FC.

4. Brings experience

One of the immediate contributions Ogbeche will make is to bring experience to a young Hyderabad FC side. The Nizams' head coach Manolo Marquez received a lot of praise from all corners after trusting young Indian players in the previous season. There were occasions when the Spaniard named less than four foreigners in the lineup, which helped youngsters like Akash Mishra, Asish Rai, Mohammad Yasir among others to shine.

However, Marquez will need a few experienced figureheads in the squad to supervise the young players. Since Odei Onaindia left Hyderabad FC recently, the signing of Bartholomew Ogbeche will boost the inspiration of the inexperienced players further. Moreover, a young striker like Rohit Danu could learn a lot from the former Nigerian international.

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3. Proven goalscorer

Hyderabad FC relied solely on Aridane Santana for goals on several occasions. The outfit were short on options in the attacking department, despite the presence of Fran Sandaza. However, bringing Bartholomew Ogbeche in the roster will add serious firepower to the scoring ability of Hyderabad FC in the next season.

The striker is the third all-time leading goalscorer in the ISL. He has 35 goals in 57 matches, only behind Sunil Chhetri (47) and Ferran Corominas (48). He scored eight goals in the 2020-21 season, second-most among the Mumbai City players following Adam Le Fondre. 

2. Suitable gameplay

Manolo Marquez does not over complicate things when it comes to the type of gameplay. He demands the full-backs to play higher up and deliver crosses inside the box. He prefers deadly finishers like Santana who can cause trouble inside the opposition box. Ogbeche fits that profile perfectly.

The Nigerian is a predator inside the box, who offers incredible movement. All eight of his goals came from inside the box last season. Moreover, he is a brilliant header of the ball as five of those eight goals came from his head. With full-backs like Rai and Mishra supplying crosses, opposition defenders could be in a world of trouble. 

1. Leadership qualities

Building on the aspect of Bartholomew Ogbeche bringing experience on the table, he will also act as a leader for Hyderabad FC. He is a top professional who is in peak condition, even as a 36-year-old. The youngsters will gain some much-needed knowledge from him on different aspects.

In all of his three previous ISL clubs, Ogbeche led from the front. He can assist and score, fulfills all demands from the coach and plays according to the needs of the team. Hyderabad FC will benefit from Ogbeche's tendency to give his all and inspire his teammates to do the same.

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