Saturday 4 February 2012

SUNSHINE star relives armed robbery attack

Sunshine Stars left full back Ofem Inah was pleased with his side's performance after defeating Niger Tornadoes 3-0 in Ijebu Ode on Wednesday.

The Akure gunners show their worth against Tornadoes after suffering armed robbery attacked at the weekend where the player lost valuable assets including the club jersey.

"I’m delighted for our victory against Tornadoes," Inah told 9jasoccerboysblog on phone.
“We could have been affected by the armed robbery attack during the weekend because it was a shock to me personally, I have never experienced such things. We lost a lot of things. They collected our phones, Black Berry and other assets like that. But we thank God we live to recount it”. 

Inah noted that Tornadoes gave them a good fight but they were more than a match, "For our part I thought we were terrific, with the tempo and intensity with which we played against a quality side like Tornadoes, we are ready for the next match against Kaduna United."

IKE THANKGOD tips Warri Wolves for NPL Title

Warri Wolves skipper Ike ThakGod is in a positive frame of mind for the ongoing Nigeria Premier league title declaring that Warri Wolves have what it take to win the title this season as the team heading into Sunday's clash with Ocean Boys at Yenogoa, Bayelsa.

Although they sit second at the top of the Nigerian Premier League, Ocean Boys will be looking to build on their 2-0 lost to Enyimba during the week.

“If you ask me one million times that who will win the title, I will be picking my club  Warri Wolves because that is one of major target this season,” Ike told 9jasoccerboysblog in an exclusive interview.

"We are one of the favourite and that is our dream this season. I understand the fact that it is going to be a tougher one for every club this season because the league has improve a lot for the past three season now.

“Every club is a threat to each other but we Warri Wolves have the potential and the zeal to emerge the winner.
“Last season, we suffered a lot due to injury and the sales of our key players and it took the young ones to get the system but it seems everything is in order now and we can roll like Barcelona.

Speaking ahead of Sunday’s clash against Ocean Boys, he said: “It is always good to know the weak and strength of your opponent but never underrate any club but we know Ocean Boys well, we know that there a team that could possibly stand as threat but we are focus," Ike said.

"We've only drew two games in the last five (league games) and we're actually disappointed we didn't get a win in our last game and that sound like a big threat for our opponent. "

EFUGH charges Heartland team mates for Title

Heartland FC player Chinedu Efugh confident that the team will finish well this season but charges his team mates to give more to ensure the club for title dream.

Efugh, an experience league star who helped the club to win FA Cup last season over the years says with the new development in the club, that the players are ready to lift the club this season again.

Last season, Heartland, not only defeated Enyimba 1-0 to break the 18-year old jinx, Efugh scored the winning goal. To crown it all, he was voted as the Most Valuable Player (MVP) in the final match. For scoring the winning goal, he earned for himself N1million courtesy of Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State in addition to another N1million for each of the players from the governor.

“We are not doing badly at the moment, but there is always room for improvement ,” Efugh said.
“This season is going to be a tough one and that is why we need to wake up, we need to give more than what we intend for us to be talking about the title.

“Every team wants to give you a fight, they also want to win, they want to grab continental ticket and that is why there must be focus.

Enyimba’s new signing AYO desperate for success

Enyimba’s new signing Ayo Saka is desperate to get matches under his belt for the club regardless of what position he plays in the midfield.

The Dream Team V star who has been a big signing for the Aba club following a sensational move from Ocean Boys said he has come to the club for better playing day and to win trophies for the club who went trophy less last season.

The talented midfielder who, was in the Olympic U-23 team and has also played in the Super Eagles under Samson Siasia, disclosed that a move to Enyimba could bring trophies to his cabinet and a move to Europe.

Speaking exclusively to 9jasoccerboysblog, the highly rated star speaks candidly on the ongoing Nigeria Premier League season and his encounter with Super Eagles big guns.

“We all know the caliber of Enyimba both in Nigeria and Africa as a whole, and turning down an offer from such club will be difficult,” said Ayo.

“My coming to the club was primarily to win trophies. The club have seen what I can do and I have also seen what I can offer the club to achieve my dream of coming, I mean to win trophies.
“I have come to play, to win and to move higher in my career. And I believe this club can make me what I wish to be this year.

I think the last couple of weeks our performance has improved massively. I think we've been playing some really good stuff," Ayo said.

"If we keep performing like we have in the last two weeks, we'll certainly get a few more points on the board but our dream is like every other team’s dream to win the title."
"So we're in a good vain of form and we're confident we can keep the run going."

Speaking on why he left Ocean Boys after using the club as a stepping stone for national team.
“I love Ocean Boys because I was given the chance to established myself and that was why I made it to the national team. I don’t just left the club after all that but they understood that football career is all about mobility and it was a good agreement between us, so I am happy to leave and I am happy to be here.



SHOWEMIMO: 3SC Defeat will make us stronger

Dolphins’ defender Abdulwasiu Showemimo believes his side's 1-0 defeat by Shooting Stars at Ibadan on Wednesday could prove a blessing in disguise as Dolphin battle Gombe United on Sunday.

The defending champions missed the opportunity to go top of the table after being undone by lone goal.

However, despite the defeat, Showemimo is remaining calm, charging his team mates to keep the focus for the subsequent matches and learn how to win ugly in away games.

"We didn’t play badly, losing is part of the game. It can always make us stronger. I believe we met a good team who really want to prove worth but we are far better than them,” Showemimo told 9jasoccerboysblog.

"The championship is still long, however, with so many games to play, we know our target and a defeat at this point will make us go back to our drawing board and make some adjustment."

“We played the game we wanted but we didn't take our chances and Shooting played defensively very focused.

"This team has great character and a great mentality, and I am happy to be here."
Speaking ahead of Dolphins’ next game against Gombe, he said: "I don’t think it will be possible for us to loss two games at a time. We must win this game  and hit the targets that we set."

Dolphins will be hoping to return to winning ways when they host Gombe on Sunday, while Gombe will be looking to maintain their momentum.