...As KESHI set to call him
Rosenborg utility player John Chibuike has inspires his Norwegian
club back to the top league table after coming from the bench the score in the
emphatic home victory against Haugesund on Friday.
The Nigeria born star whom Super Eagles, Stephen Keshi has
advised not to play for Sweden and wait for his Super Eagles call soon, took
just 10 minutes after coming from the bench to inspired the ambitious team back
to the top of the table. The 83th minute’s goal on Friday increased his goal
tally to seven goals.
"When you came from the bench to score, it gives
coaches more confidence that you can do better on the starting line-up in the
next game," said Chibuike.
"I was rested for the Bayern Leverkusen match but the coach
needs to see if I am ready that is why I came in to show my fitness rate and I
thank God that it was a sweet sub."
"I feel happy not only for the goal but for the victory
and staying at the top of the table but I think we are on course even if Molde
win their game on Sunday, we still believe that the title race is still wide
open for us to clinch it."
"I want to keep the fitness and score more goals to
help my team both in the league and in Europa Cup because we are aiming to move
to the next round of the game."
Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi has asked John Chibuike to be patient and not consider taking up a chance to feature for Sweden.
Rosenborg of Norway star Chibuike has revealed his frustration that he continues to be overlooked by Nigeria and has even now told MTNFootball.com he would opt for Sweden if approached again.
"After this season, I will look into the matter of my international future, everything for now is still rumour, but I can't resist the opportunity of playing at Brazil 2014 World Cup. If Sweden come, I may have to consider the offer," he told MTNFootball.com
However, Keshi has said the former Enugu Rangers star is very much in his plans.
“I know of Chibuike in Rosenborg of Norway and I have even spoken to him, telling him his time will come and he will be here with us,” Keshi said.
On the back of impressive displays for BK Hacken in Sweden, the former Enugu Rangers ace caught the eye of several European clubs including one from England before he eventually chose Rosenborg, who feature in this season’s UEFA Europa League.
The 23-year-old who started his career as defender at Rangers, before he was converted to an attacking midfielder at Hacken and now he is a striker for Rosenborg.
Chibuike revealed that he is baffled by the cold shoulder from his country.
"Nigeria is my country, but it seems they don't need me,” he said.
“I was interested sometimes ago when I was at Hacken in Sweden and I made it known to the world that I want to play for the Olympic team at least.
“But to my greatest surprise no invitation was extended to me, whereas some players called from second tiers and in unknown leagues in Europe and Asia featured in the All Africa Games and Olympics qualifiers. With due respect to the players who were called, I believe I deserved a chance.
“Some people have called me from Nigeria that I should wait for my time, that the last dog eats the fattest bone, am I a dog? “
In Sweden, Chibuike was dubbed ‘The Nigerian Rivaldo’ on account of his displays.
"When I was coming up, I loved watching Brazilian players because of their skills and I learnt a lot from them, apart from Rivaldo being my idol, I am a Brazilian fan. I watched him play all the time in order to try and learn from him,” he revealed.
“And when I moved to Sweden, I had some Brazilian friends who saw my game and told me that I made them remember the days of Rivaldo and that is how the comparisons began.”
After a successful season with BK Hacken in Sweden, Chibuike joined Norwegian giants Rosenborg on a three-year contract last year.
"I am happy with my performance so far in Rosenborg. I enjoy every bit of the game," said Chibuike, who this season has been slowed down by injury but he is now back to full fitness.
"When you play for a club like Rosenborg where you amaze the fans with your skills, you will find life easy and that has been my secret.
"Not only here, even when I was in Sweden, the fans couldn't resist my football and I was able to pay them back with goals and some good performances.
"When I left Rosenborg, I had options of playing in England and Germany but I have read and seen that a lot of Nigerians have made it to bigger clubs from Norway and that was why I took that option.
“I am happy here and after here, I will be competing with the likes of Xavi, Kaka and Iniesta but I don't know where the future lies.”
Rosenborg of Norway star Chibuike has revealed his frustration that he continues to be overlooked by Nigeria and has even now told MTNFootball.com he would opt for Sweden if approached again.
"After this season, I will look into the matter of my international future, everything for now is still rumour, but I can't resist the opportunity of playing at Brazil 2014 World Cup. If Sweden come, I may have to consider the offer," he told MTNFootball.com
However, Keshi has said the former Enugu Rangers star is very much in his plans.
“I know of Chibuike in Rosenborg of Norway and I have even spoken to him, telling him his time will come and he will be here with us,” Keshi said.
On the back of impressive displays for BK Hacken in Sweden, the former Enugu Rangers ace caught the eye of several European clubs including one from England before he eventually chose Rosenborg, who feature in this season’s UEFA Europa League.
The 23-year-old who started his career as defender at Rangers, before he was converted to an attacking midfielder at Hacken and now he is a striker for Rosenborg.
Chibuike revealed that he is baffled by the cold shoulder from his country.
"Nigeria is my country, but it seems they don't need me,” he said.
“I was interested sometimes ago when I was at Hacken in Sweden and I made it known to the world that I want to play for the Olympic team at least.
“But to my greatest surprise no invitation was extended to me, whereas some players called from second tiers and in unknown leagues in Europe and Asia featured in the All Africa Games and Olympics qualifiers. With due respect to the players who were called, I believe I deserved a chance.
“Some people have called me from Nigeria that I should wait for my time, that the last dog eats the fattest bone, am I a dog? “
In Sweden, Chibuike was dubbed ‘The Nigerian Rivaldo’ on account of his displays.
"When I was coming up, I loved watching Brazilian players because of their skills and I learnt a lot from them, apart from Rivaldo being my idol, I am a Brazilian fan. I watched him play all the time in order to try and learn from him,” he revealed.
“And when I moved to Sweden, I had some Brazilian friends who saw my game and told me that I made them remember the days of Rivaldo and that is how the comparisons began.”
After a successful season with BK Hacken in Sweden, Chibuike joined Norwegian giants Rosenborg on a three-year contract last year.
"I am happy with my performance so far in Rosenborg. I enjoy every bit of the game," said Chibuike, who this season has been slowed down by injury but he is now back to full fitness.
"When you play for a club like Rosenborg where you amaze the fans with your skills, you will find life easy and that has been my secret.
"Not only here, even when I was in Sweden, the fans couldn't resist my football and I was able to pay them back with goals and some good performances.
"When I left Rosenborg, I had options of playing in England and Germany but I have read and seen that a lot of Nigerians have made it to bigger clubs from Norway and that was why I took that option.
“I am happy here and after here, I will be competing with the likes of Xavi, Kaka and Iniesta but I don't know where the future lies.”
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