In-form Nigerian hopes to light up Scottish league

In-form Nigerian hopes to light up Scottish league

Akpo Sodje aims to extend his impressive scoring form tomorrow when Hibernian take on Hamilton in the Scottish Premier League.

The encounter comes up at Hamilton’s New Douglas Park home ground and Sodje aims to leave his mark on the game by grabbing his fifth goal in as many games for the Hibees.

The Nigerian who began the season at English side, Charlton Athletic, before joining Hibernian on the last day of the January transfer window, has six goals in his kitty but four of them have come in his side’s last four games against Aberdeen (1-0), Hamilton (1-2), St Mirren (1-1) and St Johnstone (1-2).

“It will be nice to score against Hamilton on Saturday,” said Sodje. “I scored against them recently and I’ll love to do that again,” said Sodje, recalling their April 17 2-1 loss to the Accies.

Sodje’s arrival from England coincided with a turnaround in fortunes for Hibernian who appeared doomed for relegation at the end of December.

The Hibees have only lost three of the 12 games the Nigerian has appeared in and Sodje, who is the youngest of the Sodje football dynasty – his elder brother Sam plays for League 1 outfit Notts County, while Efe, plays for Bury in League 2 – hopes the trend continues till the end of the campaign.

“I have scored six goals from 11 games, and made a handful of others,” continued Sodje. “This has played a big part in turning around our fortunes this season.

Hopefully we shall build on this and by next season we shall be in a position to fight for honours in Scotland.

“It’s a thing of joy to score goals at the highest level like I am doing now. The Scottish Premier League is a very competitive league and being able to cut it here as easily as I have speaks volumes of my ability.

“In all modesty, I am ready for any challenge ahead and I believe coming to Hibernian was a wonderful move and helping the club to greater things is my immediate ambition right now.”

Eagles dream

Unlike his older siblings, Sam and Efe, who have appeared in the colours of Nigeria, Sodje is yet to earn a call-up to the Super Eagles. But he still dreams of achieving that honour even though he is 30.

“I joined Hibernian on my 30th birthday, and I knew it was a good omen. So far I have enjoyed it here and yet I know my best is yet to come,” he said.

“At 30 I am not too old to play international football. I am sure that my performances at the top level with my club will attract the attention of my FA and if this happens, I will gladly accept any call-up to serve my nation.”

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