Odisha FC Women, the reigning Indian Women’s League champions, have made a significant move to strengthen their defense by signing Cameroonian international Eliane Manbolamo Bodolo for the remainder of the season. The 33-year-old, who most recently played for Portuguese top-division side Atlético Ouriense, brings a wealth of experience to the IWL-winning side and is poised to be a key contributor at centre-back in the upcoming campaign.
“We are thrilled to welcome Eliane to our squad,” said Crispin Chettri, head coach of the Odisha FC women’s team. “Her experience and leadership will greatly enhance our defensive capabilities, and we are confident she will make a significant contribution to the team.”
Odisha FC, established in 2022, has made impressive strides in Indian women’s football. They won the Odisha Women’s League in their inaugural season and went on to secure the top-flight title last season. Their success culminated in becoming the first club to qualify for the inaugural edition of the AFC Women’s Champions League (AWCL) after topping their qualification group in the preliminary round.
Eliane becomes the third foreign signing for Odisha FC, following the previous acquisitions of defender Mariam Ibrahim from Nigeria and forward Jennifer Kankam Yeboah. Jennifer, who was named Ghana’s Best Female Footballer of the Year this year, played a crucial role in the AWCL preliminary stage, scoring twice.
Odisha FC is now set to compete in the group stage of the AWCL, drawn alongside Japanese powerhouse Urawa Red Diamonds, Ho Chi Minh City from Vietnam, and Taichung Blue Whale from Chinese Taipei. Their tournament journey begins on October 6th with a clash against Urawa Red Diamonds. The addition of Eliane Manbolamo Bodolo adds another layer of experience and depth to a team already brimming with talent and ambition, making Odisha FC Women a formidable force to be reckoned with in the upcoming season.
