CHAMPIONS LEAGUE DEBUT EXCITES ORELESI

Newly signed Skenderbue Korce of Albania left back Nurudeen Orelesi has expresses pleasure for his dream debut in the most prestigious soccer tournament at club level, UEFA Champions League after he made his debut in a disappointing note with 2-0 lost to their opponent on Thursday in the first qualifying stage of UEFA Champions League.

An explosive fast left-wing back, Nurudeen Orelesi was happy that he had joined the numbers of Nigerian players to have tasted the tournament but lamented that he was disappointed due to his team lost in the first outing.

"It was a wonderful experience for me, I am happy that I was able to prove myself for the entire 90 minutes of the game. I have seen how difficult it is to win the tournament, but I will never rule out myself for the medal in the future.

"It really beyond child's play. I thought it was like a league game but to me, it was a wonderful experience for me and I will like to win the trophy one day.

"I think that has given me the opportunity to join the numbers of Nigerian players to have played the game. I am so excited and the feeling still runs in me.

Speaking further on the possibility of his team qualifying, he said: "I believe anything can still happen but I will also confess that we play a better team. I know we can turn things around in our home, I think qualifying to the next stage will expose me more in the game and I believe it will happen.

The powerful, quick and hardworking defender has taken the Albanian league champions by storm and his success there could ultimately lead to his moving on to a bigger club, as he hope to star for one of the best league in Spain.

OBIEFULE OFFERS TO RESCUE DREAM TEAM

Nigeria Youngster, Obinna Obiefule has declared his readiness to rescue the fading hopes of Nigeria qualifications for the London 2012 Olympics asserting that Dream Team coach Austin Eguavoen needs to give him a chance to prove himself after his team failure to make the cut for the All Africa Games in Maputo.

Speaking exclusively in a telephone chat, the Sandnes Ulf of Norway star who is the younger brother of former Super Eagles midfielder, Paul Obiefule remarked that he does not have any other options than to follow his brother’s footsteps by playing for his native country.

“I will be so glad if the coach (Eguavoen) can give me a chance to prove myself in his team for the Olympic qualification. I am more than ready to help him as well as to help myself in the national team. I think there is need for him to give younger players like me opportunity to prove ourselves at the national level.

He added:” I will never take the chance for granted if invited but rather see as a chance to claim a shirt in his team. I know I will be in the team but I never know when it is. My brother had played for the country and his services were appreciated, I want to play for the Dream Team and also for the Super Eagles.

Atlast, Siasia, Osaze settle rift

The Nigeria Football Federation has announced that the much-publicised misunderstanding between Super Eagles’ coach Samson Siasia and star player Osaze Odemwingie has been laid to rest.


Osaze missed the top grade international friendly against Argentina in Abuja on June 1, as a result and was also overlooked for the 2012 African Nations Cup qualifier away to Ethiopia on June 5.


But the NFF said on Monday that the misunderstanding is now history and the fleet-footed forward can look forward to a recall ahead of another top grade international friendly, against the Black Stars of Ghana in London next month.


“It’s now history; Siasia and Osaze have settled their little tiff and we are happy about that. Nigeria can now call on her very best legs in subsequent games without any exception”, stated chairman of NFF Technical Committee, Barrister Chris Green.


A meeting initiated by NFF President Alhaji Aminu Maigari took place in London some weeks ago and on Friday Siasia, who scored a wonder goal for Nigeria against Argentina at the 1994 World Cup and then became the first coach to lead Nigeria to beat Argentina at senior level, in a 4-1 friendly thrashing in Abuja last month, scored another important ‘goal’. He announced that he has forgiven the effervescent striker and that he should come back to the fold and sin no more.


“No problems again, we are now on the same page and things can move ahead in the best interest of Nigerian football. I like to say here that Osaze is one player I like very much due to his enthusiasm and total commitment to the cause on-field. But, to reach higher heights as a great player and person, it is also important to observe rules and regulations and respect teammates and other persons off-field.

CHIBUIKE: I WON'T GIVE UP ON EAGLES DREAM

In-form BK Hacken of Sweden attacking midfielder John Chibuike has vow not to give up on his chances to play for his fatherland.

The talented midfielder said, “Me, give up on the Eagles? No way! I will always give my best at my club anytime I am on the pitch. I know my time will surely come to play for the country and I will not be under any pressure to don another country’s colour in the future.

“I felt bad at times whenever I was not invited in spite of my consistent performance in my club. I am not saying that I’m better than those invited, but I believe I deserve my country’s call up if the criteria are on performance selection.

“I thought I could have been invited for the U-23 Dream Team, but it seems the coaches are not watching what we are doing in the league. If I play in Sweden and help my team week in, week out and I don’t get recognition from my country, that means I am not appreciated as a Nigerian, but I will never dump Nigeria for any country. I know what I’m saying but only time will tell.”

CHATTO THRILLED BY EUROPA CUP VICTORY

Nigerian born Sweden-based midfielder, Dominic Chatto has expressed his excitement towards his team, BK Hacken’s 5-1 home victory over UN Kaerjeng of Luxemburg in the second-leg of the first qualifying round of the Europa Cup on Thursday.

Chatto’s Hacken had played 1-1 draw with the Luxemburg club side last week in the first leg of the qualifying stage before whitewashing their opponent in Sweden 5-1 to finish on 6-2 aggregate for the second round of the Europa League Cup.

Dominic Chatto and compatriot, John Chibuike have been enjoying a good season in the Scandinavian country with Chibuike scoring twice last week in a league game while Chatto completed 10 assists with good defending ability at the back. 

The 24-year-old defensive midfielder played for 74 minutes of the game before being substituted and he has revealed how excited he was after the victory that will give him the opportunity to play in the next round.

“It was a wonderful experience to lock on in the Europa Cup. It was a little bit difficult in the first leg in Luxemburg because they could not allow us to play our game but I was relieved after we show them our worth. I am so happy for such opportunity and the victory as well.

He further added that: “We have tasted it, and we all know how good it is, what we need now is to continue from where we stopped in the next game. I will be happy to see this team playing in such a prestigious league, and I am ready to give my best anytime.”

Orelesi Relishes Champions League action

Newly signed Skenderbue Korce of Albania left back Nurudeen Orelesi has expressed his pleasure at playing in the lucrative UEFA Champions League.

He said: “Playing in UEFA Champions League is a big dream to any young player, and playing to win is another dream that will definitely take you to the next stage of your career.

“I want to play and win, also to prove myself to the best club in Europe because I have a brighter dream of competing at the best. 

“My target is to continue giving my best to my club because they have to see the best of me. I also have to prove that they have invested in the right player. I am here to prove myself as well as to make a name in Europe.”