Ranty Martins Soleye: The dream to play for Nigeria!

Nigerian Ranty Martins Soleye is one of the best strikers on the Indian football circuit. The 25 year old footballer, after serving eight years for I-League champions Dempo SC has left Goa to join aspiring Kolkata side Prayag United SC for the new season.

But Prayag United isn’t the only ambition for Ranty in the future as he dreams to play for the Nigerian national football team, the Super Eagles one day, while continuing his club career in India.

Speaking to the local paper – The Guardian Nigeria, Ranty praised the I-League saying, “I know that many people will begin to say that what is in India league. But I want to say here that the league in India is very strong. It is stronger than what we have in Nigeria because it is improving every season.”

“More so, I want the handlers of the national team (Super Eagles) to look at the quality of the individuals and not where they play. I know my quality as a striker and I want the coaches, particularly Stephen Keshi, to give an opportunity to prove myself. I won’t disappoint him,” Ranty added.

It will be interesting to follow if a Nigerian striker playing in India will be given a chance to play for the Super Eagles with their star players playing in some of the biggest leagues in Europe.

Ranty’s high regard for the I-League was also surprising. He further said, “The Indian league looks tougher, even though we have a lot of power play in the Nigerian league. The league over here is more tactical than what we have in Nigeria. I watched one of the league matches in Nigeria recently and it does not really impress me.”