The Kerela Blasters are looking to revamp their squad for the upcoming Hero ISL season. The Tuskers have recently announced that Nigerian forward Justine Ojoka Emmanuel has joined their preseason camp on a trial.
The Yellow Army has already let go many of their important players. They have made the transfers of Sahal Abdul Samad to Mohun Bagan SG and Prabhsukhan Singh Gill to East Bengal FC for undisclosed transfer fees.
Kerela Blasters signed Pritam Kotal (signed from Mohun Bagan SG), Prabir Das (signed from Bengaluru FC), and Jaushua Sotirio (signed from Newcastle United Jets). They started their preseason training in Kochi. More importantly, their newly recruited striker, Sotirio, suffered an ankle injury that will keep him out of action until 2024.
Let’s find out who the Nigerian No. 9 is.
Player Profile: Justine Ojoka Emmanuel:
Justine Ojoka Emmanuel started his football career as a young kid in his home country, Nigeria. Before the U-20 African Cup of Nations, he also played for the Nigeria U-20 National Team a few months ago. He made a few appearances for the Nigerian U-20 side over the last year.
The Nigerian young star also scored a goal against Paul E-Sports Academy in a friendly match. He is an ideal No. 9 to fit in any team’s attacking line. He has all the possibilities to emerge as a lethal striker to shake an opponent’s defence line.
Justine Ojoka Emmanuel has a rapid pace, clinical goal-scoring ability, and a good finishing record in the final third. He can read the game very well and can also use his physicality to create chances.
How Justine Ojoka Emmanuel will be helpful for the Blasters:
As Justine Ojoka Emmanuel is on trial, he has to prove his efficiency to be in the squad. Under coach Ivan Vukomanovic, the Manjappada Brigade has presented a brand of free-flowing attacking football. So, if he manages to secure his place, he can pair with Dimitrios Diamantakos and also score goals by capitalizing on Adrian Luna’s magical passes.
Following Sotirio’s injury, he might get a chance to showcase his capabilities on Indian soil.
Pre-season’s Performance:
It’s been heard that Justine Ojoka Emmanuel is adapting quickly to the Blasters culture. His performance is improving session by session, which is applauded by their coaches. Emmanuel has also scored two eye-soothing free kick goals outside from the box in their recent practice season.
Emmanuel may follow in the footsteps of another Nigerian, Bright Enobakhare, who played successively for East Bengal in the ISL.
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