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NEWS & CURRENT AFFAIRS

The Nairobian

I am my own man - Odera

Pulse

By The Standard Sports | Feb 24, 2011

By James Waindi

Gor Mahia’s high profile signing Ezekiel Odera has pleaded not to be dubbed ‘the new Blackberry’ as he begins his Kogalo adventure.

The 22-year-old striker has got considerably good play in the Press since Gor Mahia acquired him from KCB at the end of last season.

George ‘Blackberry’ Odhiambo, who was crowned the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) player of the year last season, left Gor for Danish side Randers FC early last month and Gor fans believe Odera will fill his big boots.

As he plays in a similar attacking position, the comparisons with Odhiambo are inevitable. But the modest goal poacher wants to nip those in the bud straight away.

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"I’m just Odera, a player who’s getting better and still learning. Blackberry is totally different both in the style of play and speed. He is very fast on the ball and I’m a bit slow, but I have a perfect finishing," said Odera.

He added: "If we have a similarity, it’s may be because we all have an eye for the goal. But please don’t get us confused."

But while Odera is star-struck by his compatriot, he is also highly impressed by one of his own club team-mates:Moses Odhiambo.

"He is the one who should be touted as Blackberry’s replacement because of his speed and trickery on the flanks," he said.

Odera,, who won the most promising player of the year prize last season, will be featuring in the league for just the second year, but is already sending panic to league defenders after he managed to find the back of the net 13 times in his debut season last year.

He aims to win the league with Gor Mahia this season and improve on his goals tally to win the golden boot.

"I believe I can improve on my goal tally and become the top scorer this season because Gor have better midfielders than KCB where I was last season and I’m sure they would create more chances for me and I don’t waste such chances," said Odera.

The diminutive striker, who started his football career with the Mathare Youth Sports Association aged seven years, was at the Sports Connect Academy for three years before joining KCB in 2010. He is among Gor’s six new signings this season.