OFEM hails Inspiring Sunshine coach, Ogunbote

Sunshine Stars defender Ofem Inah has heap praises on the technical crew of the Sunshine team following their miraculous victory against Angolan Champions in the second leg of CAF Champions League match played in Ijebu Ode on Sunday.

It was a moment of joy for the Akure Gunners braved all odds to beat Recreativo Libolo of Angola 3-0 to qualify to the next stage of the competition in Ijebu Ode.

Sunshine Stars lost the first leg 4-1 but got three goals in the return leg to end the contest 4-4 on aggregate. They, therefore, sailed through courtesy of the away goal they scored in Angola.

Izu Azuka scored the first goal in the 20th minute of the match. Captain Godfrey Oboabuna added the second in the 34th minute while Dele Olorundare completed the thrashing in the 76th minute.

Speaking exclusively to 9jasoccerblog, the Dream Team V ace commended the management of Sunshine for the good work in the team.

“We have to give kudos to our management, they have make a lot of difference in this club over years,” Ofem said.

“I believe with our escape to the next round, we can win the title.

“The coach has been wonderful, and he has really build much confidence on this team and I know the sky is limit for the man soon. I hope he get good reward for all the good work in the team at the end of the season, I mean to win titles.

Inah has been relegated to bench of recent but the player insisted that everything is good with the technical crew.

“There is nothing going between myself and the crew, I think it is their decision to test several players, so I believe I will be back to the team, I don’t have any problem with anybody in the team and we can always get better.

It is Sunshine Stars’ first participation in the top tier Champions League.

Emenike confident of Champions League slot

Super Eagles’ striker Emmanuel Emenike does not believe that Russian racism will affect his dream of lifting Spartak Moscow to second place in the Russian League table for a slot in next season’s UEFA Champions League.

The 24 years old striker helped Spartak Moscow continue their charge to the top of the Russian league on Sunday with his sixth minute goal leading to a 2-0 defeat of Kuban Krasnodar in Moscow.

It was his 11th goal of the season, and he came close to making it 12 but for Aleksandr Belenov’s agility at goal.

"I don't fear that racism will affect my dream for this team, I have left every issue behind me, I am more focus than before and that will speak well of me at the end of the season,” Emenike told 9jasoccerboysblog from his Russian base.

When asked if racism acts will not affect his dream of lifting Spartak to UEFA Champions Legaue, he said: "That shouldn't be a problem as long as I deliver the goods, and I have plenty of confidence."

“What happen was just unfortunate and I don’t need to be thinking about it again, my joy comes when I score goals and help my team. I love to be dedicated and that is what I am doing right now.

“My target is to score goals that will take my team to Europe next season, we are third now and anything can still happen, I believe that my goals can lift the team. So I am not distracted in any manner.

Emenike joined Spartak Moscow July, 2011 from Turkish champions Fenerbahçe for a transfer fee of ten million euros. In less than a year, his market value has ballooned by more than 100 percent.

Sky the limit for MICHAEL ODIBE at Arsenal

Michael Odibe was clearly the man of the match on Friday after hitting a brace in Arsenal Kyiv’s 4-1 over Obolon in the Ukrainian Premier League. 

Undoubtedly, Odibe has grown far in confidence and his terrific work rate is exciting at the moment, not only for his goal scoring ability but his consistent playing time has attracted big suitors like Dynamo Kiev and Shaktar Donetsk to have the lanky defender in their squad next season.

Obviously, Odibe’s loan contract with Arsenal Kiev expires in the next two month and his recent form could land him in one of the top clubs in Europe next season.

The former First Bank of Lagos player opened scoring in the eighth minute and got his second goal in the 64th of the game. Alexander Kobakhidze got the other two goals against Obolon in the Ukrainian Premier League on Friday, and the result has place Arsenal to fourth place on the table.

"I have said it that coming to a club like Arsenal Kiev is for me to prove my worth and move higher and my focus could open a big offer for me in the summer,” Odibe told 9jasoccerblog.

“The move represents a challenge for me to show my worth and I thank God for making it real now". I known playing consistently will ring out my best and this is exactly what is happening, thoug it is not by my power nor wisdom but God.

Odibe also spoke of the honour he felt after scoring two goals  and a dream of convince Keshi for Super Eagles’ shirt.

"Scoring two goals in a match is source of pride for me, I was excited not only because I score but we won the match and everybody in this club appreciated my effort, I felt like doing it again and again.

"I want to keep doing my best to make the fans happy but I can’t guarantee my stay here next season."

“I don’t know why the big boss has not invited me to his squad but I believe I can always be there now and later but I want to re-instate that I wanna to play for my fatherland again and again.