Celtic, our biggest threat, says EMENIKE

Spartak Moscow ace Emmanuel Emenike has said Celtic stand between them and qualification to the next round of the UEFA Champions League.

Celtic are second in Group G with four points, a point ahead of Spartak, who defeated Benfica 2-1 at home to get their campaign back on track.

Barcelona are top of the section having won all three games thus far.

“Barcelona have opened the group and nobody can get automatic ticket after Barcelona. We will work harder because we can still make it out of this group. But Celtic are the major threat to us now, but we will do it," said Emenike.

The Nigeria international striker missed the home win over Benfica as a result of a waist problem. He hailed the spirit of his club to win their first points despite having an injury crisis. 

"I was amazed with our display. Despite the injury crisis ahead of the game, we still went all the way to win the match. I am happy for my teammates who played and I so much believe that we can still do more in this competition,” said Emenike who watched the game from the stands on a freezing night at the Luzhniki Stadium

CHIBUIKE dares Molde after Europa League loss

John Chibuike has said the focus is now on the Norwegian league title race after Rosenborg lost at home to Metalist in the Europa Cup.
Former Enugu Rangers star Chibuike shone like a million of stars against Ukranian club Metalist on Thursday night and provided the assist that led to Rosenborg's goal in the 46th minute before he was substituted on 77 minutes. 

"It was a nice game and I was at my best against Metalist," said Chibuike.

"Though we lost but not to a better team.We will still qualify from our group, all we need is to keep the focus.

“But for now we must shift our attention to the big match on Sunday in the league against Molde. We are looking forward to remain on top of the league and by the grace of God I want to be a champion."

He added:  "We are going to face a good team, Molde who are champions. Victory against them will surely confirm us champions. That is why we must keep the focus and respect our opponents."

Both Rosenborg and Molde are tied on 52 points each after 26 matches, but Chibuike’s club enjoy a healthier goals difference.

Obiefule backs KESHI, MIKEL for glory

Nigeria midfielder Paul Obiefule. has backs Super Eagles coach, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi and his assistants to make history in 2013 nations Cup to be hosted in South Africa.

Keshi who lifted the 1994 nations cup trophy in Tunisia as the skipper of the World beater Eagles then, will be looking forward to win the trophy again as the coach of the Super Eagles.

And Paul who was part of the Super Eagles team that won bronze medal in Ghana 2006 has told Keshi to make the be selections and go all the way to win the South Africa 2013 nations cup.

"The man has deliver what many Nigerians are clamouring for, the nations cup ticket," said Obiefule.

"To be a national team coach is not a day's job and I think Keshi has the experience to lead the tam to victorious tournament if all hands are on deck."

"I think he can make history in South Africa if we all support him." Without unity and individual dedication, there won't be results but with what the players have shown against Liberia. It means they are one of the tournament favourite."

"For the fact that he has coached Togo and Mali and he did fairly well with Mali and took Togo to the World Cup, though that should not be the yardstick in South Africa but a committed team and good tactical approach."

The 26-year-old midfielder also advise the former Mali coach to drill Chelase ace Mikel Obi as the team midfield enforcer.

"Mikel is a world class player, he has silence his critics. We need him a lot in South Africa and it will be good for the coach to support to drill him to give his best."

"We must understand that Mikel plays different roles in Nigeria which is quite different from what he use to play in Chelsea, we must show him love, he has make Nigeria proud and that is the reason why we must celebrate him."

"If the likes of Yaya Toure, Song and Kita can be celebrated in their country, why can't we celebrate our own too?" He questioned.

Obiefule who plays for Kups of Finland has enjoys consistent playing time with 28 appearances but yet to reveals his next move if the deal expires next month.

"For now, I need to rest after our remaining games. Kups want me to extend my stay but I am not ready to disclose anything for now. I just need to go on break and have a good rest before I look on the table."

ADEGBITE dreams successful season with RANGERS

Enugu Rangers forward Razak Adegbite is relishing his return to Enugu Ranger after unsuccessful season with Enyimba of aba.

The talented attacker said he left Enyimba with sadness after the club failed to fulfilled their promises and almost kill his dream but feels excited for returning back to his former club.

"I was not treated well at Enyimba," said Adegbite.

"I regretted leaving Enugu Rangers to Aba but thank God I was able to find my way back to Rangers where I am presently preparing with the team ahead of the new season."

"I believe my return will be of good one for the club who have been doing well in the past three years and I am happy to come back again just like the coach and the entire management of the club were happy to see me."

"I am back to continue from where the players have stop, I wish to add more to their success and challenge for the title in the coming season."

"I am ready to pay the fans and the managment back with victorious goals for accepting me at the time trouble."

"What I could not do at Enyimba, I am ready to do it here and also give my best at every game I play."

UGONNA begins one week trials in ISRAEL

Ocean Boys player Ugonna Ezenwaka is undergoing one week trial with Isreali giant Maccabi Tel Aviv following an invitation letter sent by the club.

Ezenwaka has played for Nigeria Under 20 squad, the Flying Eagles, in friendly matches. If he impresses coach Oscar Garcia at the end of trials, the highly rated midfielder would be offered a contract effective January 1.

In the letter of invitation sent by the club stated that: "We officail invite the Nigeria player, Mr Ugonna Nnadozie Ezenwaka to get impression of the club to pass few medicals test. In case the player can pass all the medical test Maccabi Tel Aviv will begin the negociations with the agent about the player." 

Ugonna Ezenwaka is a powerful defensive midfielder, but can cover other roles in midfield and is a technically excellent player.

According to a close brother to the player Stephen Orizu who plies his trade in Turkey disclosed authoritatively that the Ocean Boys ace has stormed Isreal for one week trial and hopeful of making permanent deal at the end.

"Maccabi Tel Aviv has sent  an invitation to my cousin Ezenwaka and has left on Tuesda night to team up with the club immediately," said Stephen who is aiming to set Turkey on fire.

"I was aware of the planning and I pray that he make it real. I don't need to tell you how good he is, but you can ask his national team coach for that."

 Maccabi Tel Aviv already have on the payroll five foreigners - Vincent Enyeama, Robert Earnshaw, Carlos García, Steve Gohouri, Gonzalo García  - and must release one of the players to accommodate the Nigerian in January.

 

EMENIKE hails Spartak team mates

Emmanuel Emenike has remain grateful to his club team mates for their determined victory against Benfica in the UEFA Champions League group G on Tuesday.
Emenike who watched the game from the stand said he was impreesed with the displayed of his team mates despite the injury crisis hiting the club ahead of the game, and has remain optimistics of making it to the next round but sees Celtic as the major threat to their qualification.

Spartak Moscow claimed a crucial 2-1 victory in a clash with Benfica on a freezing cold night at the Luzhniki Stadium.

"I was amazed with our display, I am still confidence of making it to the next round," said Emenike.

"Despite the injury crisis in the team, we still go all the way to win the match. I am happy for the guys and I so much believe that we can still qualify. Barcelona have open the group and nobody can get automatic ticket after Barcelona."

"We will work more harder, though we lost concentrations at time but we won't give up again. We can still make it."

Speaking further on why he missed the game.
"It was a painful miss for me, I could have made it better than that but late fitness failure denied me, I was told not to rush the pain and allow it to heal and that was what kept me out."

"Of course, I confirmed to my journalist friend that I will be fit, and that was on Monday but our club medics told me to skip the game."

Rafael Carioca gave Unai Emery’s side an early lead in just the third minute of the match, but Lima levelled against the run of play for the visitors.

Spartak needed the three points after two successive defeats, and an own goal from Jardel two minutes before half-time gave the hosts a valuable and deserved victory.

MICHAEL ODIBE fears Napoli

Dnipro's Michael Odibe says his side will not be taking on-form Napoli lightly when they face other in the Europa League on Thursday.

Juande Ramo's team are currently top in Group F with six points from their opening two games, and Odibe believes Dnipro must respect their much respected opponents after the Italian outfit beat AC Milan in a league game last weekend.

"I have great respect for Napoli.They have good records, the play good football and they have world class players but we will give them the fight," said Odibe.

"When you are playing a team like Napoli, you have to be at your best, they sharp and intelligent attackers both on the pitch and bench but all we need is three point."

"We want the maximum points and to keep the clean sheet so that we have  more opportunities to qualify for the next round.

"I know we are going to qualify for the next round but beating Napoli is on my mind."

"We lost our last league game while Napoli beat mighty Milan and that does not mean we would loss again even for the fact that Napoli look threatening,"

JOHN CHIBUIKE relishes Metalist clash

Rosenborg attacker John Chibuike is brimming with confidence ahead of Thursday's Europa league match at home to Metalist of Ukraine.

Chibuike believes that Rosenborg have what it takes to pounce on Metalist to give them more chances of qualification to the next round despite losing their previous Group F match against Bayern Leverkusen.

"We will bank on our home form to tackle Metalist," said Chibuike.
"We can't just wait to qualify, that is my target for the team. After that, we can dream more."

"I will not like to underrate Metalist on the pages of newspaper but I think we are ready for the clash."
"My debut was a good one despite losing to an experienced team like Bayern Leverkusen and it gives me more exposure for the next game. But atleast, it was a delight debut and I wish to get more of that."

The 23 year old reflect on their 2-0 home victory against Sandness UF in the Norwegian league last weekend to take Rosenborg to the top of the table afte Molde play 1-1 draw with their opponent.

"Staying at the top at this time is very important, I can't say where their yet but we will keep fighting till the end."
"Molde regretted their draw and they will need to work more harder to top us again."

KESHI may invites JOHN CHIBUIKE

More facts have emerged for the invitation of Nigerian born Rosenborg attacker, John Chibuike whom his international allegiance has been imbalance, and reports in recent weeks had claimed that the talented player could end up playing for Sweden.

And according to information revealed to us by top officials in the Nigeria Football Federation disclosed that the Super Eagles coach could invite the 23-year-old utility player for the international friendly match against Venezuela in Miami on November 14, in United State of America.

Unarguably, Chibuike possess the qualities to braze up the shaky Super Eagles midfield ahead of the 2013 Nations Cup in South Africa as Keshi aims to win the most prestigous african trophy as a coach.

"The truth is that Keshi cannot invite all Nigerian players in europe, we all know that some of our players are playing very well for their club sides but they cannot all be here at the same time. Keshi working and we are supporting him, he knows the best player who can fit his plan and our own is to support him and motivate the team for victory," the sourcce explained in a telephone chat.

"Well, I don't know if he will invite new players and if he will invite, that could be John Chibuike who plays in Norway for Rosenborg," he continued.

"I read when Keshi replied him to wait for his time in Eagles and not to play for Sweden even while some reports claimed that he's not eligible yet, inviting him to play could end the speculations."

"And my advise for the young man is that he should wait for his time even if Keshi don't call him now, we have heard good performances of him and should wait to come and give his best for Nigeria."

The former Enugu Rangers played  for 90 minutes last Friday to inspired his team to the top of the league table.

"Helping Rosenborg to win the league is on my mind for now, I am enjoying perfect games here and I hope to keep helping the team to more victories."

"The last vitory will spur us more to beat Metalist on Thursday to secure our chances of qualification."

EMENIKE fit for BENFICA clash

Spartak Moscow star Emmanuel Emenike is fit for Tuesday’s Champions League tie against Benfica after he was rested at the weekend.

Emenike said that he was asked to relax a waist pain so as to be fully fit for the crucial Benfica clash.
He also said he sustained the injury in the second half of the 2013 AFCON qualifier between Nigeria and Liberia in Calabar. 

"I was rested for the waist pain to heal before Benfica match," said Emenike.

“For sure, I will play on Tuesday. That was why I missed the Anzhi match even though I would have managed it to play.

“I sustained the injury against Liberia. I played with a waist pain in the second half and I started feeling the pains in my waist, that was why I was replaced in the game.

“So, my club decided to allow the pain to subside ahead of the Champions League game. But it was a big loss for us against Anzhi."

Spartak have lost their first two matches in the Champions league and Emenike said they are hard pressed to win against Benfica if they are still nurse any hopes in the lucrative competition.

"Benfica game is a must-win for us and we are not taking it lightly.”

"We need total focus against Benfica. We have not been consistent of recent, it’s a bit worrying to me but I believe we can still achieve our target of qualifying to the next stage of the Champions League.

"To beat Benfica would restore our confidence, and it could also give us more fighting spirit.

"We lost concentrations against Barcelona and Celtic, and that is why we have found ourselves in this situation. The Celtic defeat was very painful even though that does not mean we can't repeat the same against them in Scotland.”