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.

‘Oladinho’ hopes to follow Torres’ step in Madrid

Atletico Madrid player Olaitan Otubanjo popularly known as ‘Oladinho’ says he hope to follow the footsteps of former Atletico Madrid players Fernando Torres and Kun Aguero both playing at top clubs in England and he wish to join one of the best clubs as well if he consider leaving Atletico Madrid in the future.

Olaitan has 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.

“In my club (Atletico Madrid) the supporters still love Torres because of his commitement, I always feel great as well, I always feel like living like such player so that the fans can have me in their minds,” said Otubanjo.

“There are lots of players that have played and be great in Madrid but Torres and Aguero are so exceptional, they love them. I really need to work harder because I am already living on the dream of those players, I mean to play at the best club in Europe if I will leave this club one day. 

“I know everything is with time, and I believe that my own time will surely come for good. Yes, I am still young and learning everyday and the future is always bright for me only if I know what I am doing in this team. 

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.

“Torres is playing for Chelsea, a top club in England after committing himself to Athletico Madrid and Liverpool, I wish to join a club like Chelea in the future but for now, I am Atletic Madrid for life,” he concluded.

OSINACHI Daniel eyes quick recovery

Former Sunshine Stars of Akure striker Osinachi Daniel is eyeing a quick return to active football after been out of action for over six months due to knee injury that is threatening his ambitious football career.

The FC Turkur of Finland star is blessed with pace, vision, trickery, agility and the uncanny knack of being able to find space in the box but injury has brought him back to Nigeria due to Finland weather where he’s currently training with Sunshine FC for his rehabilitation.

The powerful striker has been a big loss for the Turkur team this season after picking up the injury last year during a league match.

“I am not happy with the states of my recovery,” Osinachi lamented.

“It was a bad injury so I need to recover properly to be strong again.

“I was permitted to comeback home for my rehab thinking that I will have much time on it but to my greatest surprise the injury is getting worsen and it’s baffles me every seconds.

Surprisingly, despite his lack of playing active football, there are lots of offers waiting him in China, Belgium and Qatar and these clubs are ready to make huge investment on him even with the injury but the Portharcourt base star reveals that he’s eager for quick recovery to show the clubs a sense of belonging in the deals.

“I have not been paid any allowances in my club and it seems I am parting ways with them once I am recovered, already I have clubs waiting for me in China, Belgium, Sweden and Qatar but I have nothing to say for now because I m not happy with situation of things right now. I have missed lots of actions and it baffles me.

“I came back to Nigeria because of the Finland weather and with the hope that I will back soon and that is why I’m training with Sunshine FC my former club. I can’t really say the course of the setback even though I am training on artificial pitch compare to Finland pitch but I have play on this pitch before so I can’t really say this is the cause but I am seeing doctors next month in China to know the next steps.

“The pains is not bearable anymore, I felt it badly, but I believe my God is alive, he will surely recover me.Osinachi has the tricks in the bag all good striker needs, speed, ability to turn on a dime, creativity, flair and a great cross and he cannot wait to return to active football.

HARUNA tasks Keshi for Eagles return

Dynamo Kiev midfielder, Haruna Lukman says he cannot wait for a return to the Super Eagles team and has woo the chief coach of the Super Eagles team Stephen Keshi to give him a call into his team that will play Malawi and Peru for 2014 World cup qualifiers and friendly game respectively.

The former Golden Eaglets captain has featured in all national team soccer stages and his last revelation was a chance to the 2010 World cup where the team could not win a match before crashing out of the tournament and since then, Haruna’s chance in the senior team was limited even when his former boss Samson Siasia was appointed and shut the former Monaco star out of his team.

But despite his good and bad records in the national team, Haruna still dream of making it big in the green white green jersey and has pleaded to Keshi for a chance to prove more in the team.

“I still consider myself as part of the Super Eagles team,”Haruna reveals exclusively.

“I know the coach is trying to rebuild the team and have a formidable squad that can do the job, but notwithstanding, I can still make an impact if the coach calls me to serve.

“I enjoy every bit of my career in the national team and I still want more.

AKINSOLA dreams La Liga action

Cardiz CF forward rave of the moment Kabiru Akinsola has refuse to restrict his dream of playing in one the best league as his rising form could land him in the Spanish top divison in the summer.

The gangling winger, currently on loan to Cardiz from Granada, has been in hot-form in the Spanish second tier and his goals have gotten on noticed. He slapped his fellow countrymen with hat-trick against Almeria B that paraded Flying Eagles stars Azeez Ramon and Stanley Okoro.

And a return to Granada in the summer is on the card only if the club remains at the top league but apart from that, there are other clubs in La Liga that are already making offer for the player who has scored 16 goals in all competitions this season and currently the joint top score in the segunda B in Spain

“I may return to Granada in the summer if the club still remain in La Liga,” Akinsola reveals exclusively.

“I am enjoying myself self here but if Granada call for my service, I will gladly be there but if not I may join another club in La Liga in the summer but what my focus now is consistent playing.

"I know this form will take me to the highest stage of my career. I can’t stop improving whether I score or not, I just need to continue the good work for my club and place my statistic in a different way at the end of the season. I am aware of the suitors but I don’t have a say for now.

EMENIKE vows to down MUSA in derby clash

Emmanuel Emenike out speed Samuel Eto'o of Anzhi

Spartak Moscow striker Emmanuel Emenike say he's still looking towards European ticket for his club and vowed to surprise Ahmed Musa’s CSKA Moscow when they meet on Monday.

Emenike has reminded the Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi that he can be a source of goals for the national team with an equaliser for his Russian team last two weeks.

The Super Eagles striker salvaged a point for Spartak Moscow in an away draw with Rubin Kazan but failed to add to his tally against Anzhi last week. And his prolific speed could had some damages for Musa’s club who were just thrown out of UEFA Champions League by nine times European Champions Real Madrid on Wednesday.

On the part of CSKA Moscow, Ahmed Musa is another instrumental player that could make an impact with his speed that left Real Madrid defenders unrest, and refocusing will be much needed in the CSKA team when they face Spartak Moscow.

"At the moment every game is important to me and the club but I am personally looking beyond a game irrespective of their team. The focus still remain and our target for this club is to play in UEFA Champions League, Emenike told 9jasoccerboysblog in a telephone chat.

"The fans have been so wonderful to me in the sense that when I found it difficult at the beginning, they stood by me and that is why I can't resist my scoring ability for them. “Football is funny at times but I am looking forward to help my team beat CSKA Moscow to give us a chance at the top spot.

"For a striker, you must always be dreaming of scoring in every games, but I am happy that we manage to drew our last game against Anzhi which is more important.

"Ahmed Musa is a talent and he has make a lot of difference in the team, his terrific speed could cause panics for defenders just like what he did against Real Madrid, but we will not relax on that. “We must put in our best, we know the club and we are aware of their ambition of recent but we can always make the difference.