Former CHAN Eagles hero, Gabriel Okechukwu is in pole position to make his league debut for the J League side, Consadole Sapporo Saturday when they host Shimizu S-Pulse in one of the Week 14 games.
The former Wydad Casablanca hitman played his first game for the Japanese topflight side in their goalless draw with Kashima Antlers on Wednesday in the final group stage of the 2021 J. League Cup. A result which was enough for them to pick the second ticket from Group A with 11 points behind Kashima Antlers who came first with 12 points.
The ex-Water FC of Abuja Striker came on in the 64th minute of the game for Taika Nakashima and online reports suggested that Okechukwu gave a good account of himself and Consadole Sapporo head coach, Mihailo Petrovic is considering handing him his league debut today. He joined the team in January this year but injuries have slowed him down.
Okechukwu was first picked on May 5th in their J. League Cup tie with Sagan Tosu which paraded another Nigerian, Chikeluba Ofoedu but he was an unused substitute before the breakthrough came on Wednesday. He will hope to help Consadole Sapporo move up to the league table as they are currently 13th with 15 points from 13 matches.
Meanwhile, Consadole Sapporo will strive to make it to the quarter-final of the J. League Cup when they face Yokohama F. Marinos in a two-legged Playoffs tie on June 6th and 13th. Sapporo will host the first leg at Sapporo Atsubetsu Stadium, Sapporo on June 6th before the deciding return leg at NHK Spring Mitsuzawa Football Stadium, Yokohama seven days later.
