ORELESI:I'm ripe for SUPER EAGLES' shirt

Albanian based Dream Team V left back Nurudeen Orelesi is a Nigerian football player currently plays for Skënderbeu Korçë in the Albanian Superliga.

An explosively fast left-wing back, Nurudeen Orelesi has scored one  of the most iconic goal in U-20 World Cup history, notably his reverse net- tearing against Germany in 2009 U-20 World Cup. With Flying Eagles of Nigeria.

A powerful, quick and hardworking defender has taken the Albanian league by storm and his success there could ultimately lead to his moving on to a bigger club in the summer.

He told 9jasoccerboysblog this exclusive interview that Albanian League, especially in his club Skënderbeu Korçë has open a lot of things in his career, and also speaks on the possibility of summer move…

life in Albania

It been quite wonderful for me in the country even though it has not gotten to the standards of top European football leagues but I can tell you that it is more entertaining like Spanish La liga and Premiership. I always feel at home whenever I go out for matches and I am well respected maybe because I am a Nigerian. The Albanian citizens love to see Nigerian players because of talent. I have never regretted my decision in coming to play in the country because it is a place I can categorically showcase my talent before stepping further to major European league.

Champions League experience

Yes, it was a wonderful experience I had dreamt of. Playing in UEFA champions league is the biggest opportunity I have in Skenderbeu. It is a wonderful experience that will remain in my memory. I saw the uniqueness and integrity of the competition even though we could not make it to the final stage. It is good privileged for me and I am still looking forward for more competitive games like that.

When I signed for Skenderbeu my dream was to play in this year Champions’ League group stage against the likes of Barcelona and Manchester United or any other good teams in Europe because I always give my best whenever I see big matches, I go extraordinary to prove myself in my position but unfortunately things could not work out maybe it is not this year again.

From Flying Eagles to Dream Team V

If I will not lie to you, I am grateful to Allah for such given me the opportunity to be recognized by coaches in the country, I am also grateful to the coaches as well for their confidence on me. It is not by my making but Allah makes it possible for me. For a player like myself to be call for national assignments irrespective of the league I played in.

I think it is by hard working and prayer. I think given my best all the time gives me the chance to be on pitch for my country. I always give me best because I know my future is bright. I do make the best of myself in the training session and that convince coaches a lot to play me ahead of any other player but it’s not by my making but God. I think another factor is that I do play regularly for my club and I know the number of games I play every season and that alone will give me confidence in my country.

Egypt 2009 U-20 goal against Germany

Whaoooooo! I always laughed whenever I remember or see that goal. I think that goal was my best goal in my career so far. I was at my best position to take the shot because we need to score more goals but unfortunately everything went otherwise for the team. I think every ambitious player must always ready for battle because you don’t know who is watching you. And that has really helped me a lot

Encounter with Siasia

It was a privilege for me to have played under Samson Siasia. Though many players believe the man is difficult but if I will be honest to myself, Siasia is not difficult for a discipline player. Why I said such is that I have been with him, and I know what I have learnt up till now along with Kalika. They are wonderful coaches to have played under. And since life is not static, there is always a change in our career and that is why he was appointed and disappointed. Playing under Siasia has made me a better player because I have improve a lot in my defending and overlapping tactics and I am very grateful to have passed through such coach in my career.

Dream Team failure …

I cannot blame anybody for the failure because I was not part of the team, I could not make it to Morocco due to my club assignment, though I was invited by the coach but my club stopped me because of our league and I am of the reliable player at the back four according to my coach, so they found it difficult to allowed me. I was devastated for not given such opportunity by my club because I have already promised to be in the camp in Ghana but all my effort was aborted since it was not FIFA free day. It is a big disappointment for me and the team but I believe there is more hope in the future.

The pillars behind his career

My parent supported me a lot to be at top of football. Especially my late dad, I never thought of becoming anything else but to play football. Even my decision to my friends then was like a mad man because of their passion for Education and other professions but I never thought of any alternative but to play this football, and I think God for making my parent the back bone of my career today.

The lost of his father almost hindered career…

My father tried a lot for me before he died and if there is anything I can do make him alive again, I will do it because he has a lot of glory to claim from me. My dad had bought me football kits before. He encourages me lot because of his passion for the game.

If not football what?

Absolutely nothing. Why I said nothing is that most people does not see anybody to encourage them in their career and that is why you see a lot of people engaging in lots of things that is not of their wish. I think I am grateful to Allah to show my parent the best way for me.

Dutch move dream

My club stopped the move in January because of Champions League spot. They said I should wait and help the club to qualify for Champions league before they can look into the deal but everything still intact according to them. So my focus is to help them and wait to see what happen.

Career after Albania

I think for now, I have to make sure I have the starting shirt guarantee. I have come to Europe to stay and play regularly, and this is not where I am going to end my career but I just have to keep on given my best till I will be recognize in the categories of the best club in Europe. I know where I am going and my future is brighter than I see. So I will like to continue for the next one year and see what Allah has for me again. Apart from that, joining Skënderbeu Korçë was a good move for me because they are the champions of the league and they are recognize in UEFA, so what else did I want for now? I will surely play and become the best player in my position but one step at a time. I want to be in the categories of fantastic players like Nemanja Vidic who hit top club like Manchester United by storm.

Super Eagles Dream

My initial dream was to play at the 2012 Olympic games and prove myself to be in the Super Eagles but as it is now, my focus has change. I want to be in the Super Eagles if the coach can consider my talent for once. I know the challenges at the position with the like of Taye Taiwo and Elderson Echiejile but I can give them a fight if am consider good for the position.

Passion for beautiful football in Barcelona

I am a Barcelona fan for life but I like Manchester United in England. I like Manchester because of Patrick Evra whom I look up to as a player. I love the way he plays and I do watch Manchester united game because of him. I do study a lot from him and I have improves in some quotas that I have learnt. Evra is a kind of player that does not gives up easily even if Manchester is losing, he will still drive the team to attach and that is kind of football I play. He run a lot and tactically dribbles maturely. And that is what makes him my best player in the team. Apart from that, Manchester United initiated discipline in their team and I think that is what make the team great in terms of team work.

Career in the next four years

I want to be playing in one of the best club in Europe if not Barcelona and also to become an establish player in the Super Eagles like Taye Taiwo and Joseph Yobo. I actually want to be a player to be given a standing ovation in any team.

Challenges before Taye Taiwo in the Super Eagles if…

I think deputizing for Taye Taiwo in Super Eagles is not a big deal for me as a young player that wants to learn. I have lot of respect for Taye Taiwo and I will be ready to play for Super Eagles. I can still become a better left back than him. Taye Taiwo has a lot of bullets in his feet while I also have but he’s stronger than mine for now. But I can as well shot like him and compose myself better.

OTUBANJO reveals love for Ronaldinho

Athletico Madrid of Spain youth team star, Olaitan Yusuf Otubanjo popularly known as Oladinho has reveals his ecstatic passion for Brazilian playmaker Ronaldihno but admitted he has a lot to do if he’s to reach the level of the former Barcelona super star.

As with most Nigerian players, he is technically very good and has superb ability with the ball.

With five goals and four assists this season Oladinho had become a hot property for Atletico Madrid reserve team and they will struggle to retain his services, with several top club lining up for his signature even though he’s committed to be great in the club.

The Dream Team V star is blessed with pace, vision, trickery, agility and the uncanny knack of being able to find space in the box, Otubanjo is an excellent young talent that can hit the world like Chelsea striker Fernando Torres.

“If you look at the history of Athletico Madrid, you will know that we they have produced best players and joining them was one of the record I known and I also believe that I will be great in the as well.

“I am learning here every day and things are really working well for me, I always feel at home here and I wish to follow the footsteps of great stars that have passed through the club to become great.

“Success request a lot of hard working and focus, it is not how good I am as people keep saying but how good I want to be. Yes, my dream is to reach the feet of Ronaldinho, a lovely idol of my career. I know it will take me a lot of things but I will never mind to be great in this team. I really like Ronaldinho’game. He’s an outstanding player, I admire his ability to get past the opponents. I’m not inspired by no athlete in particular, but I admire many others, like Romário and Ronaldo “The Phenomenon” by their scoring’ killing instinct. He was a genious with the ball

Oladinho also describes the atmosphere of Vicente Calderón stadium where fans always want their young players to be great.

“We have a lot of clubs in Europe but Athletico is a special place to be, everybody want you to grow, yes that is there slogan for you. They will tell you their history in producing best players, so you have what it takes to be great. The fans love talent, once they know you are good, they can do anything for you. In fact they can tell the coach to be playing you in very game because of their passion for you. I have witnessed a lot of good days here and I wish to continue my career here as long as I can.

On the nickname “Oladinho”: “The name came from the fans. They said I have some skills like my idol Ronaldinho and before I know my name was changed to Oladihno and that is what most guys call me now but I know the name will be real for great.

Athletico Madrid is one of the biggest club Spanish La Liga and has produced great players like Fernando Torres, Sergio Aguero, Reyes and Diego Forlan to mention few, and Olaitan is optimistic that he has what it takes to hit the world like these players in the next two years.

“Consistency matter in players’ career and apart from that you must keep the focus of your dream by working towards it, so with that I believe my future is bright here and I keep praying to God to lead me to the best path of my career. With God on my side and my focus, I will join the history book of the club.

Otubanjo also reveals day he met Sergio Aguero and Reyes.

“Kun is a nice guy and he loves working in hard in training, I have met him several times and we talk a lot, he was one the people that advice me on my career and I still keep it. Yes, I have met most of them probably at the training session or at club event, Reyes is my friend in the team and we talk a lot as well.

UGO Ukah calls for Eagles consistency

Single capped Super Eagles new boy, Ugo Uka has demanded consistency from the Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi ahead of 2013 Nations Cup after he was neglected in the 11 man foreign base star that will tackle Rwanda in February 9 in Kigali.

The lanky central defender made his Eagles debut against Zambia in Kaduna, though he has been invited by the former Super Eagles coach Samson Siasia but could not make the team until the appointment of Keshi, but surprisingly he was snubbed for the upcoming match in Kigali which makes the player to voice for consistency in the team if there is a dream of winning the 2013 nations cup.

"I understand the decision of the coach to test some other players which I think it is good but we need to be consistent. We need consistency throughout each game both for the qualifiers and friendlies so that we can understand ourselves better," Uka said.

“I don’t need to felt bad because there are other chances on the way and I believe I will still be part of the team. “At times, players just need to understand the decision of some coaches, and I think Keshi has his own reason and I believe he’s a man I can work with, so there is no problem about that.

“What the team need now is support from everybody because the team is our pride and they must beat Rwanda in Kigali. “I wish the coaches and the team success by the grace of God they shall win in Kigali.”

AKINSOLA: Soaring high in Spain

Former Under-17 striker and currently plying his trade for Cardiz CF of Spain, Kabiru Akinsola says he’s enjoying every bit of his stay in Spain and believes his current form can bring success to the club.

Akinsola, who is on loan at Segunda B side Cadiz from Granada in the La Liga, has netted 12 goals from 23 games this season. He is the club’s leading goal scorer and second top scorer in the Segunda B. 

The 21-year-old striker noted: “I’m happy because I’ve been able to prove some people wrong, they thought I am finished but this shows that my career is just beginning,” Akinsola revealed exclusively.

“I really want to score as many goals as possible and look at my tally at the end of the season for top scorer award. I am been appreciated here. The fans love me and i love them in return. And that is why i am giving them my best. I will not stop scoring goals as much as I am happy every day. I will not only win the golden boot but also win trophies for the club. The President has shown me a lot of love here and I believe I can help the club to get to the highest stage”.

Akinsola has set a 20-goal target having scored 12 goals already. The Nigerian player showed glimpses of his best form for his Spanish club and he is determined to scale the heights that made him an instant hit with the Cardiz fans following his arrival in August.

“I think I am getting to my best and I will get stronger and stronger," Akinsola revealed. "In particular I think my work on set-pieces especially my attacking ability is better according to my coach, but I am still not flattered and will even work harder”, said Akinsola.

“My target is simple - I would like to score 20 goals in total, yes that is my target and I am working towards it.”

His consistent goal scoring is paying off as three clubs already queue for his service in the summer.

“After my game against Valencia in Copa Delrey, I was wanted by some clubs but my club President blocked the deal claiming that he cannot let me go because I have a lot to prove if I return to Granada. “Really, I was flattered for such comment because he’s the owner of Granada and I signed for him. But I don’t want to be distracted by transfer. I want to keep my focus and help Cardiz win”.

'Akigol', as some of the media have christened him, is however not happy not happy with the way he is treated by the Nigeria national teams handlers.  

The former Salamanca ace said he was disappointed with the way he was treated during the Dream Team V 2012 Olympic qualifiers and he’s yet to know why the Dream Team V handler refuse to honour him a call into the U-23 team even when he opened up to the media that he’s ready to come and play for his fatherland.

The 21-year-old striker was part of the victorious U-17 team that won the World Cup in 2007 under the tutelage of Late Yemi Tella, and since then he has been frozen out of the national team.

He said: “I don’t know why the national team coaches ignored me even at the top of my form, I was ignored. I don’t know what I might have done for my country’s coaches. Since the death of Tella, I only came twice to play for my country and even when I am doing well for my club, the coaches in charge of the under 20 and Olympic teams did not call me”. 

He added; “I was denied the 2009 U-20 World Cup, now again I was denied the U-23 team shirt. Well, I don’t know where the problem is but I believe the dream of playing for Super Eagles still remain intact, and I believe things will get better in the national team.

"My games here have opened a lot of progress in my career, and I really thank God for making me what I am today”.

After the 2007 U-17 World Cup, Akinsola was linked to Arsenal but the deal collapsed along the line but the lanky forward has not lost a dream move to a European top club.

"I’ve not lost hope of playing for Arsenal or any other big clubs but my focus now is on Cardiz”.