ODIBE looking forward to bright future

As the new Ukrainian league season is approaching, Arsenal Kiev central defender Michael Odibe has insisted on extending his blistering form into the Super Eagles team for the 2013 Nations cup qualifiers against Rwanda next month.

Undoubtedly, Odibe has grown far in confidence and his terrific work rate is exciting, according to Arsenal Kiev’s coach Leonid Kuchuk quoted in a Turkish tabloid where the team is currently camping for new campaign. The Belarus born tactician also heaps praise on the Nigerian born defender who shown like millions of stars and contributing in the teams’ success to occupied in fifth position on the log last year.

“Michael is a good player for us, everybody want him in the team, and he has really developed his games which really helped us last season but I am expecting more from him when the league resumes again, Leonid praises Odibe at a press conference in Turkey”

But despite his consistent dazzling for Arsenal, he’s yet to be called for national team since his first and last was against Sierra Leone where he was handed number five jersey by former Super Eagles coach Samson Siasia.

“My club have a lot of trust in my ability and I have never disappointed them since I joined the club, I have been able to show what I can do and that really helped me last season to have a regular games,” Odibe told 9jasoccerboysblog in a telephone chat.

“If you play well, your coach will never doubt you in any games, though at times, you might not find your bearing in a particular game but what you have done in the past will speak well of you. I love coming to play regularly here and I wish to do more for the team.

“I have really improve a lot of my games, my technical quality is a lot better than before. I've gained in confidence, there's a good spirit and good aggressive playing style for, Life is so good in Ukraine."

Speaking further on his target for Arsenal this season, he said: "Collectively, we want to do better than our opponents and we try to be as high in the league as possible. We have a good team and we want to trouble the big guns above us, we want to win," he said.

On the national team, he said: “Well, I have done my best for my club in order to be call for national team and that is a decision for the coach to make. Obviously, I wanna play for my country with full determination I used to play for my club but I have gotten the chances and life goes on.

“Although, I have not lost the hope because I have really improve a lot and that alone could give me a chance this time around but all still depend on the coach,” he concluded.

IKE THANKGOD: I’ll prove KESHI wrong

Warri Wolves central defender, Ike ThankGod says he’s ready to prove Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi wrong for denying him of his best opportunity publicly over his comment in the news paper that he was ‘too old’ for Super Eagles shirt.

The giant defender was on target on Saturday in a league match between Sharks and Warri Wolves where he rescued his team to 1-1 draw in Portharcourt. And that seems part of the case to reply the coach for making public digression on his career.

“I’m happy to have rescued my club with my goal,” Ike Thankgod told 9jasoccerboysblog.

“I really want to prove so many people wrong for saying that I am 'too old' for national assignment. 

“Yes, I want to really prove it this season if I’m too old to play for my country or not but I am disappointed by Stephen Keshi for making such comment towards me whereas he has invited people older than me in the team, so why me?.

“If he did not want to invite me to his team, there is another of doing that rather than toying on my career but the time has not come for me to talk.” He concluded.

SHOWEMIMO: Dolphins ‘ll gun down Rangers

Dolphins new signing, Abdulwasiu Showemimo has declared a three point target agenda in an epic clash against Enugu Rangers at liberation stadium, Portharcourt.

This is a clash between second placed Rangers and the defending champion Dolphins in fifth. Last season in this corresponding match, Dolphins won by a lone goal while the reverse fixture produced four goals to end the game at 2-2.

Both clubs come into this contest having won in their last round of games. Rangers have made six trips to Port Harcourt in eight years and have managed to earn a win and two draws.

And Showemimo, an home-based Super Eagles star told 9jasoccerboysblog that he’s happy to join another great club in the country and a dream is to win the league title once again and force his way into the Super Eagles first team having proved so well in his appearances for the national team.

"Dolphins is a great team in the Nigeria league and you can never ignore an offer from such team when you know their ambition is always to win trophies and dominate the league," Showemimo said.

"I played a lot of games for Kano pillars and I earned my reward in playing for the national team. The experience is there for me to compete in the team. I’m  physically ready to challenge any opponent that comes to our way in the league. My target is to help Dolphins retain the title and to claim it for the second time in my career as well as to unlash myself in to full national team line-up.

"I like every players in the Dolphins team because they are bunch of experience. I think I will have a good season here for sure."

EMENIKE: Eagles' stars will rule Russia

Emmanuel Emenike, Super Eagles’ striker has declared that Nigerian stars would be the cynosure of all eyes in the underrated Russian league following the sensational move of Ahmed Musa from VVV Venlo in to CSKA Moscow.

The former Karabukspor of Turkey star has scored an impressive eight goals in 13 matches barely six months after his transfer from Fenerbahce.

The Anambra state-born star also revealed that his compatriots, Obinna Nsofor and Obafemi Martins have helped him to settle down in Moscow.

“Russian players and coaches respect Nigerian players a lot,” Emenike stated matter-of-factly.

“The coming of Musa to play in the league would equally boost our status and I believe we are going to dominate the Russian league.

 “Yes, we can rule the Russian league if everybody is in-form, Oba is doing well, and Obinna is also doing great for his club likewise me. And everybody is waiting for the new season to begin to show the stuff we are made of.

“Musa is a great player and he possesses the quality of playing in the league with his speed and composure he can really bring a good fortune to the CSKA team this season.

“Obinna really helped me to settle down quickly, we are like twin brothers. He’s a good guy to have along with Obagol and I’m hopeful all of us would do well for our respective clubs,” he added.

OFEM INAH sure of Sunshine title credential

Sunshine Star’s defender Ofem Inah has written off Dolphins FC of Port Harcourt chances of winning the league title this season, claiming that the Akure Gunners have the mentality to maintain the top spot and become the title winner for the first time this season.

The former Enyimba player who won double with the Aba Millionaire, before making a sensational move to Sunshine to compete for another league title.

“I am still optimistic that Sunshine would be a threat to many teams this season,” he said. “This season is going to be another tough one but I’m confident that Sunshine would bounce back despite a defeat to Dolphins.

“I don’t see Dolphins making top four again but we are very much focusing on the league now or never.

 Everybody has a dream of winning the league, and it will be true dream for us (Sunshine) to claim the title this season.”

Speaking on the chances of Sunshine continental chances this season, he said: “We are very happy because, we are in going to play in the Africa Champions League.

“Now, every game becomes a challenge for us and we are hoping to finish on top at the end of the season,” he stated.

Akinsola sets 20-goal target

Former U-17 winger, Kabiru Akinsola has set a 20-goal target for the next round of the season. The Nigerian player showed glimpses of  his best form for his Spanish club with 12 goals to his name 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 exclusively. "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 but I will be better. 

I’m sure you’ll see an improved Akinsola again.

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

Orelesi set for Dutch league

Dream Team V left full back Nurudeen Orelesi is on the verge of joining one of the top clubs in Holland if the ongoing negotiation between his club and the wanted clubs materialize.

The former U-20 star revealed  his intention of playing in the Dutch League if his Albanian base club agrees with the clubs coming to sign him for the January transfer window.

It is unlikely that Skenderbue Korce will be able to keep their most committed player for the mid transfer as the player remain of their best in the Albanian league and his move to one of the top club in Holland is inevitable.

In an exclusive chat, the Dream Team V star also disclose his dream of coming to play for the Super Eagles and a move to the Dutch League could give him the opportunity in the Nigeria Senior team.

"There are lots of clubs waiting for me now," Orelesi reveals Exclusively. But the decision is not mine, I have to wait for my club to negotiate for the deal and see if there is anything concrete at the end but there is hope for me.

"They have been eyeing me since 2009 U-20 World  Cup but the offer was not that concrete but it seems they have seen what they want and that is why they are renewing their interest now.

It is understood that Sevilla, Levante and Lille are also part of the clubs that are monitoring the player.