ORELESI Ignores bumper deal in Albania

Skënderbeu Korçë Nigerian left full back, Nurudeen Orelesi, has told his club to wait till his contracts expire before talking about new deal.

Undoubtedly, Orelesi has been regarded as one of the finest star player in the league with so much contribution to Skënderbeu Korçë league title victory.

Before now, a lot of speculations are around the corner over the future of the former Flying Eagles star with some clubs in Holland and France speculated to be in link with his club for possible summer move but all the rumour were shunned off when he return to his club for this season’s campaign to claim the league title.

“I have told my club to wait till my contracts expire, I am no ready for new deal,” said Orelesi.

“They have called my mother to persuade me to re-sign but I still have to let the season finish, My future is with God not with anybody, though I want to move higher, I want to play in another league, I have offers, I mean good offers but my club are also ready to break bank according to the President in our last conversation.

“Sincerely speaking, I love everything around here, the President has been inspirational, he always be in good rapport with me, he called me to ask for my conditions if am happy or not but all the same I want to see what God have for me.

“My mother called me to inform me that my club officials called her over my new deal, and she was asking me to look into the new deal and take my decision, though she’s trying to plead as well but I let her know what my dream is all about.

Marseille, Bremen battle for ODIBE

Ligue 1 outfit Marseille and Werder Bremen are the latest top clubs battling for the signature of Nigerian defender Michael Odibe who plays for Arsenal Kiev of Ukraine.

It was reported last week that some clubs are already on the queue for the lanky defender who shone like millions of stars in the Ukranian top flight , and now Marseille, Werder Bremen, Saint Etienne were open to offering the Nigeria international a route out of either France or Germany following his impressive performance.

According to a source close to the player in Ukraine, he said: "Some clubs are coming to Ukraine, specifically to Arsenal Kiev and that has brought doubts on the future of Odibe who could be on his way out of the club if the offers are reasonable. But I can authoritatively reveal to you that Marseille and Weder Bremen are the surest clubs looking for Odibe right now".

 The source also revealed Fulham and Shaktar Doneskt are also in the race to sign the player but there are no official negotiation yet.

"After he scored his 4th goal of the season, Fulham and Shaktar came for negotiation but it was unofficial through an agent but with the way things are going, he may end up playing in either Germany or France if he choose to leave the club for now."

after the conversation with his close source, 9jasoccerboys contacted Odibe in a telephone conversation to hear his own side of the story but he (Odibe )insisted that he is currently enjoying the challenge of consistent playing time with Kiev but did admit that he would one day like to play in one of the top clubs like Arsenal FC of London.

"Yes, I love everything here because I was given the chance to prove myself and that was the reason why I could give my best. “Sincerely speaking, I don’t know where my future lies as I’m speaking with you. I just hope to keep my fitness and focus but I wanna play at the top level next season," said Odibe.

ORELESI, the unnoticed EAGLE

An explosively fast left-wing back, Nurudeen Orelesi has proved more than any other Dream Team V star in Europe this season, and has been rated among the finest Nigeria defender along with Michael Odibe who also shun like millions of stars for Arsenal Kiev in Ukraine.

But despite his explosive performance for his club that recently won the Albanian league title and also a place in UEFA Champions League play-off ticket, the talented star is yet to receive the highly rated hype unlike the ‘expired’ Super Eagles’ stars.

His work rate is also commendable and he is a willing runner into space and the channels. 

And these could be argued on his contribution to his club triumph this season.Excellent work ethic, combined with stamina and a never give up attitude has resulted in Orelesi becoming a fan favorite in Albania. 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.

Orelesi was born in Lagos 22 years ago and last played for local club ECO FC. Dinamo scouts watched him in action during the last Under 20 world cup in Egypt and were impressed with his tenacity, playing at left back.He remained of the finest player in the Nigeria U-23 team then, the talented defender can be remember for his net tearing goal against Germany despite the poor outing of the whole team. 

The Albanian base star who had sometimes declared his mission to fight for the Super Eagles shirt was rated among the best player in the league having made lots of impact in his team’s progress this season to claim the title and compete in European action.

Orelesi, congrats for being part of the squad that won the Albanian league title.

It’s my pleasure bros. Thank you very much

How was the feeling after claiming the league title?

Of course I was excited because we came from third spot to claim it and it was a wonderful moment for me and my career.

Your game has really improved this season, what is the secret?

I was determined to make name for myself in this country despite the low ranking of the league in Europe but I have vowed to make it real for myself that is why I always give it all at every point in time. I believe my game here will take me to the top. I never doubt that and I think with my game now, I can hit the top clubs in bigger league.

It seems you are more comfortable with the atmosphere of the country but with some clubs already on the queue for summer. Will you still like to continue it here?

I have surrender everything to almighty God. He knows the best and I will like him to direct me to the right path. Sincerely speaking, I never know what will happen because my club are desperate to offer me another deal, I mean improved deal but I am still praying to God to direct me so that I will not work in wrong path of my career.

Don’t you think the low ranking of the league still an obstacle for your Super Eagles’ shirt despite your good playing games?

I understand what you are saying bros but still I need God intervention. I know I have all what it takes to play in any big clubs and in Super Eagles but I don’t want to be faster than my shadow. I am learning everyday.  I also believe that Super Eagles call up can influence a bigger move and that is why I want to have a chance in the team and prove myself. I know I will still play in the team but I don’t know the time yet but I’m certain of playing in the team.

But Keshi doesn’t look the side of less foreign based stars with local league stars already on the card. How will you convince the coach for a call up?

It does not matter provided I can prove myself. I think the coach have good plans for the national team and it will also be good to have competition in the team so that everybody can be serious. But I can always make impact in my position.

You have played almost every game for your club this season but yet you still remain the unnoticed Nigerian star…

Everything has time and I am not desperate for that but I know my own time will surely come.

I’m happy for being part of the squad that won the title this season, the title has really boost my confidence and that is why I want to play for Super Eagles if the coach can give me a chance to fight for shirt. 

Dortmund, Levante join race to sign AKINSOLA

Former Nigeria U-17 winger, Kabiru Akinsola has remain the subject of transfer speculations over some months as Bundesliga giant Borrusia Dortmund and La Liga outfit Levante are ready for war over the signing of the highly rated player in Segunda B in Spain. 

Reports reaching us suggests that the lanky forward who is on loan to Cardif CF from La Liga team Granada could be sign by one this two clubs if the Granada president accept the offer worth around $6m and Akinsola who is dreaming of playing in La Liga refuse to speak on the speculations.

The Nigeria international has been a star performer in Spain, helping his club to top spot in the table. With a number of European clubs thought to be keen on the winger, Akinsola has revealed his admiration for La Liga.

EMENIKE: My goals will lift Spartak to Champions League

...denies Liverpool, Spurs link

In-form Spartak Moscow striker Emmanuel Emenike has denied some reports in the media linking him to English Premier League clubs Liverpool, Tottenham and Chelsea for a summer move due to his goal scoring spree, having scored his 12th league goal last weekend to lift Spartak to second position on the table for a place in UEFA Champions League next season only if the club maintain the position with few games to end the season.

It was reported last week that Emenike was wanted by top clubs in England and Spartak Moscow dangled €25m on their top man but Emenike who has the target of playing in next season’s UEFA Champions League games reveal authoritatively that he has no plan to quit the Russian club for now and does not consider playing in England for now but will prefer Spain.

“I have not heard anything like that from my club and I don’t think I am ready to leave this club now,” Emenike declared in an exclusive chat.

“I understand the fact that when you are at your peak form and you are helping your club to move ahead and when your name is all over the news due to one thing or the other, there will be news and be speculations, even some people will use your name to make money but no matter what I thank God for everything but I am not ready to leave Spartak.

"My focus is how to score more goals and lift my club to compete in UEFA Champions League. I have what it takes to lift this team and to play in one of the most prestigious football tournament.

When asked if he had ever consider playing in England before, he said: “I think it is the most attractive league in the World and I do watch some of their matches, I watch Chelsea, Manchester and Liverpool games but I never have the mind of playing in either clubs for now. I don’t know what may happen tomorrow but I am so committed to Spartak Moscow, they love me here and I wish to keep giving my best for the club.

KESHI set to recall MICHAEL ODIBE

Super Eagles chief coach, Stephen Keshi is set to recall Michael Odibe back to the national team with the player’s current form and confidence which he can bring something spectacular to Super Eagles back four in the next 2013 Nations Cup qualifiers according to a source in the glass house.

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 on the pitch which has attracted big suitors like Dynamo Kiev and Shaktar Donetsk to have the lanky defender in their squad next season.

The source also revealed that there are other new players that could have their chance this time around as the coach is working tirelessly to get the best squad for the 2013 Nations cup and Odibe could return now.

He said: “I think the coach is looking forward to recall some less privilege players who are playing  consistently and performing in their clubs for now, a player like Michael Odibe who plays in Ukraine is on the coach list”.

“We have been noticing some of our boys who are doing well in their respective clubs and Keshi is ready to look into their side ahead of the 2013 Nations Cup.

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.