Ranti Martins wants to win the Federation Cup, wants Sony Norde to join East Bengal
EAST BENGAL STAR STRIKER Ranti Martins has once again bagged the Golden Boot award in the I-League, for the 7th time in his career. But the Nigerian goal machine, who won 5 I-League titles over the 8 seasons he spent at Dempo, feels like he cannot rest until he wins the league for his current club, East Bengal.
Speaking to Bengali tabloid Ebela, Martins said he was having trouble sleeping since Bengaluru FC lifted the title, and wanted to make things right for the Red and Golds' fans by winning the Federation Cup,
"I've been here for two years and still haven't managed to help my club win the I-League. I feel ashamed. Every player feels ashamed. I apologise to the fans on behalf of everyone... I want to learn from the past mistakes and begin anew in Federation Cup."
East Bengal are playing Shillong Lajong in the double-legged quarter finals of the Federation Cup, a club they have struggled against the last couple of times when facing them away from home. Lajong also beat them 1-0 on the last day of the league season. Ranti said he had not forgotten any of it,
"We're confident of beating Lajong this time in Shillong. Because repeated disappointments have made us eager to prove ourselves."
Speaking about newly appointed head coach Trevor James Morgan, Martins said,
"He is a great coach and he can mix with footballers like a friend. He can understand the players' physical capabilities very easily, and formulate a practice schedule around that. Had we gotten this kind of training before we could have done better."
Ranti also confessed his admiration for Sony Norde, the Haitian winger who plays for East Bengal's arch rivals Mohun Bagan. He expressed hope of getting to play next to Norde in the upcoming season,
"Sony Norde is a great footballer. If I get to play next to him we'll never have to worry about getting goals. He'll pass and I'll score... I'd request the East Bengal officials to bring him over to our club. [Laughs]"
