Ex-Rangers striker Chikeluba Ofoedu and Emmanuel Emenike scored a brace each for their respective European clubs at the weekend.

Youngster Ofoedu fired his goals for Turkish club 1461 Trabzon in a 2-1 win over Adanaspor, while Nigeria international Emenike grabbed a double as Spartak Moscow recorded a 3-1 win over Rostov on Sunday.

Nigerian youngster Chikeluba Ofoedu opened his goals’ account for his Turkey first division side 1461 Trabzon on Sunday with a brace.
 
Ofoedu, who was a second-half substitute, scored both goals within eight minutes. The first came in the 57th minute to draw them level, before he netted the winner in the 65th minute.
 
An elated Ofoedu told MTNFootball.com that he was relieved to get his first goals for his new club.
 
He said, “I am excited to score a brace and my first for my club, I thank God for making it possible for me and giving us victory.
 
“This was my first home game after I played an away for about 10 minutes and so there was no better way to introduce myself to the home fans.
 
“I don’t want to promise a certain number of goals, but I will keep working hard to achieve great things here.”
 
Former Mighty Jets of Jos striker Chibuzor Nwogbo, who played for Adanaspor, could not rescue his side from the defeat.

In Russia, Emenike, who last week shone against Barcelona in a UEFA Champions League clash, scored in the 27th and 71st minutes to secure maximum three points for Spartak.

Former Nigeria international Isaac Okoronkwo was an unused substitute for Rostov.

Emenike has now scored four goals so far for Spartak in the league this season and his club are now sixth on the table with 16 points.

In Cyprus, Philip Onyemah scored in Olympiakos Nicosia 3-1 win over Ethnikos Achna. Onyema scored his team's second goal to give them the lead in the 38th minute.

John Chibuike scored Rosenborg's consolation goal in a 2-1 loss to Brann in the Norwegian top flight. He registered his name on the scorers’ chart in the 55th minute

CHIBUIKE: NFF, KESHI ignore me but...

...Happy to return with a bang against Brann

Rosenborg FC of Norway utility player John Chibike has drop a bombshell by declaring that Keshi and the Nigeria Football Federation does not need his service to don the national team colour as he need not to wait before deciding his national allegiance

Last year, Chibuike refute the Sweden National team allegiance proposal having hit top form as the goals coming at the best time and helping his team to emphatic victories then.

Due to his impressive performnance in BK Hackens of Sweden, the former Enugu Rangers caught the eyes of some european clubs, even a club in England came for enquiry but all the rumour ended when he signed for Rosenborg FC of Norway, a UEFA Europa cup campaigner this season.

The 23 year old player who started his career as defender in Enugu Ranger before he was converted as attacking midfielder in Hacken and now playing the role of striker in Rosenborg where he admittedly feel happy to score goals, revealing in an indepth interview that he has given up on the Nigeria national team long ago, putting his best on his club and waiting to make a decision on the road to Brazil 2"014 World Cup.

"Nigeria is my birth country but they don't need me, I was interested sometimes ago when I was in Hacken in Sweden, I made it known to the world that I want to play for the Dream Team atleast but to my greatest surprise no invitation nor call was given to me," Chibuike lamented.

"Of course I am not better than the invited players for sure but i can as well make an impact in the free and fair selection protocol and I also know that its not all Nigerian players in Europe will play for the country and that is why I always ignored the questions in media because nobody looks at what i am doing."

He continued: "my non appearance in Nigeria has generated a lot of rumours turning to be real in my national allegiance but I am not ready yet. Some people have called me in Nigeria to wait for my time that last dog eats the fatest bone, am I dog? He questioned.

"Sincerely speaking I thought I would have register my name in the Super Eagles long ago but it seems the coach didn't need me so I need not to bothered while I am happy with my club.

After what it could be regarded as a successful season with BK Hacken in Sweden,  Chibuike joined Norwagian club Rosenborg FC in a three years contract last year and has been able to justify the deal so far.

"I am happy with myself base on my performance so far in Rosenborg, I enjoy every bit of the game and I find my happiness in wearing the jersey and put in good performance."

"When you play for a club like Rosenborg where you keep the fans amazing about your ability you will find life easy and that has been my secret."

"Not only here, even when I was in Sweden, the fans can't resist my games and I was able to pay them back with goals and good performance."

"When I left Rosenborg, I had options of playing in England and Germany but I have read and seen much about playing in Norway, a lot of Nigerians had made it to bigger clubs from Norway and that is why I made the option. I am happy here and after here, I will be competing with the likes of Xavi, Kaka and Iniesta but I don't know where the future lies.

Speaking further on his team position on the log and the Europa Cup games.

He said: "My dreams are coming true, I told the press men on my arrival that I wan to help Rosenborg in playing Europe and I saw it as a dream then but today and some weeks now the dream will be fulfilled. There nothing good than to hit your target, I am excited once again. Maybe if not for the passion I have for Norwegian league, I could have been playing for a club in Germany I think. But notwithstand, I will prove myself better against Leverkusen because I missed out the Rapid match due to minor injury and i am happy to be back for good and scoring goals as you can see that my return came with a goal against Brann even though we lost, I want to play aaginst top clubs and Bayer Leverkusen is not that low for me to show my worth.

The talented midfielder who had set sight on winning the Norwegian league has also be optimmistic on Rosenborg chances in the Europa cup.

"We will not be a push over, we have started on a winning note, winning away match is not easy but thank God we prove it right in Austria. I know Bayer Leverkusen are experince club with experince players in the team but they must respect us, for the fact that we qualified to play them, we are also very good side and written us of can be dangerous because we are all set to fight hard and see the next round ticket before dreaming more."

"Our third position in the league could has well ring better on our opponents and winning the league is on my sight."

During his spell in Sweden, Chibuike was dubbed Nigerian Rivaldo by his admirers and club fans dûe to his skillful display, the talented midfielder has shield more light on his idol.

"When I was coming up, I love watching Brazilian players because of their talented skills, I learnt a lot from Brazillian players apart from Rivaldo being my Idol, I am a Brazillian fan. I watched him play all the time in order to try and learn from him, to beautify my dream of playing to the highest level. And when I moved to Sweden, I had some Brazillian friends who saw my game and told me categoriccaly that I made them remember the days of Rivaldo and that is how the name started flowing.

The Rosenborg of Norway player was said to have chosen Nigeria ahead of Sweden after the European country‘s FA made an enquiry about his international future last year but it seems the player has been advised to make a u-turn for the Scandinavian country who are also nursing the dream of Brazil 2014 World Cup.

"After this season, I will look into the matter, everything sound to me as rumour but I can't resist the opportunity of playing in Brazil 2014 World Cup.," he sounded off.

JOHN CHIBUIKE returns against BRANN

John Chibuike makes his comeback to Rosenborg club against Brann in the Norwegian clash on Sunday after missing out on Thursday’s victory in Europa Cup against Rapid Wien, Rosenberg won 2-1 in Austria.

The Nigerian born utility player was sidelined for the Europa Cup match victory in the empty stadium of Rapid Wien in Austria due to minor leg pain but will be on the starting line-up against Brann on Sunday.

“I felt some pains in my leg and the coach decided to rest me for the Sunday’s match against Brann, I was little bit sad for not making my dream debut but sometimes, all things went for good, we played at empty stadium, the home fans were banned by UEFA and it was all boring game but we took our chances and I felt happy for my team for the victory at the end,” said Chibuike.

“I missed out the game, though we won but I am looking forward to the next Europa game against Bayer Leverkusen, I will be fine and ready for the clash but for now, I am focusing on three points against Brann on Sunday.”

He continued: “Victory on Sunday will take us to the top of the table depending on the result of others but I am ready to return and deliver for my club.” he concluded

EMENIKE: Barca were lucky

Spartak Moscow striker Emmanuel Emenike has said Barcelona came very close to paying a big price for underrating his Russian club.
 
Spartak fell 3-2 to hosts Barcelona in a Champions League group game on Wednesday at the Camp Nou after they took a 2-1 lead late in the game.
 
Emenike revealed that he was disappointed that they left Camp Nou empty handed as it was his dream to beat Barcelona right in front of their home fans.
 
“I said before the game that we will shock Barcelona, which we almost did. Let me say we lost the game because we were unlucky, we were not completely overran by Barcelona as we made them know we are equal to the task,” he said.
 
“We were determined to beat them and we almost did it. They are the best team in the world no doubt, they underrated us in the early minutes of the game and we punished them.”
 
He continued: “I am not satisfied with the result because my dream was not fulfilled. It was a victory I wanted, but I pleased with our confidence, self believe and composure on the pitch. I am very sure Barcelona will be beaten in the return leg but Celtic are our next opponent, that’s our target now.”
 
On his cross that was turned in by Dani Alves for an own goal, Emenike said he was happy with his contribution, but would have loved to have scored by himself.
 
He said, “I was happy that I was involved somehow in that goal. I would have loved to have scored, but will do that in return leg.”

EMENIKE: Scoring against Barca will make my day

Spartak Moscow ace Emmanuel Emenike has restated his belief that his Russian club could upset mighty Barcelona at the Camp Nou on Wednesday.

Both teams clash in a UEFA Champions League game on Wednesday in front of the fans of the Catalan giants.

A confident Emenike, who at the weekend scored his second goal of the season for his Russian team, disclosed that he will play the game of his life against Barcelona and believes Spartak could run away with a famous win.

"The game against Barcelona has been on my mind. We are looking forward to the game with great expectations even though we are playing against the tournament favourites,” Emenike said.

“Barcelona are beatable and that is why they have not won all the trophies since inception, no team is invincible and all we need do is to give them a big fight. We are ready for them."

Emenike further said: "I scored at the weekend and that has boosted my confidence even more. When a striker does not hit the back of the net in about four games, there will be pressure, but I kept my focus and the coach as well as the team also kept the faith in me. And so I’m delighted that I was back scoring again.

“I want to keep scoring and I believe I can repeat same feat in Camp Nou to help my team shock the world.

“Getting a goal against Barca will make my day, but victory will take me to the top of the world.

“I have watched Barcelona games several times and I have seen their weaknesses which we can capitalise on.

“And I can't wait to debut in the UEFA Champions League group stage. It has been my long-term dream. Everybody loves the Barca style but we will take the battle to them."

The big Nigeria international striker said he fancies his chances against the Barcelona defence on Wednesday night.

"I think I can go past their defence. I don't care who man mark me. I will play my game and mind you Camp Nou is not a forbidden place to win.

"Everybody in my club, in Nigeria and world as a whole wants to see me display against Barca but I have put everything before God. I will not disappoint." 

EMENIKE, MIKEL and YAKUBU top big earners

Joseph Yobo, Mikel Obi and Yakubu Aiyegbeni are Nigeria’s biggest earners as they each pocket in excess of two million Euros a year.

MTNFootball.com has again scooped that another top Nigerian earner in football is Spartak Moscow striker Emmanuel Emenike. 

Spartak have reportedly inserted a buy-out clause of 42 million Euros in Emenike’s contract after he extended his deal till 2016. 
Yobo is smiling all the way to the bank because his earnings are free of tax in Turkey, unlike when he was in England with Everton.

“He’s on crazy money at Fenerbache and he is also playing week in, week out, which was not the case at Everton at a point,” a top source informed MTNFootball.com

That could well explain why several more players from Nigeria have now moved to seek their fortune there – Kalu Uche (Kasimpasa), Raheem Lawal (Adana Demirspor) and Uche Kalu (Caysur Rizespor).

“It is a good place for Nigerians to go to because the football is not bad and the money is good because it is free of any tax,” a top agent informed MTNFootball.com

Yakubu has proved himself in the English Premier League by scoring double digit number of goals, season after season and so his decision to cash in on a final pay day in China, where he is reportedly on 100,000 pounds-tax free a week.

His super agent Pini Zahavi has even before the striker’s move to China secured his financial future for him.

Mikel is on 80,000 pounds a week at Stamford Bridge, but when he has to pay about 42% of that as tax, it leaves him with a little more than 40,000 pounds a week.

He also received a hefty bonus when Chelsea made history by winning their first UEFA Champions League. But again it was heavily taxed.

Emenike is also on a fabulous contract of about 2.5 million Euros a year, but in Russia he has to pay tax and that way he earns less than his national team skipper.

Defender Taye Taiwo also bagged a super deal when he signed up with Italian giants AC Milan. He was on something like 335,000 Euros a month but tax and limited playing time would have eaten deep into this little fortune.

Taiwo is now on loan in Ukraine, where a player like Brown Ideye is also on a very good contract. 

EMENIKE, IDEYE get license to destroy Liberia

Super Eagles strikers Emmanuel Emenike and Brown Ideye have been charged by the Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi to extend their club goal scoring ability to the national team to ensure victory against the lone star of Liberia in Monrovia today.

Spartak's goal fighter, Emenike disclosed exclusive before the team departed to Liberia yesterday that the players as well as the coaching crew are ready to make Nigerians proud, especially the President who declared his support for the team to ensure that they return with the maximum three point, also revealed his determination for the team today.

"We all know that it will be tough," Emenike admitted.

"And that is the reason why we have to fight hard as well. We are not ready to underrate them like in the past. We are going to give all our best and I believe it is possible with caliber of players in the team.

"We were all thrilled by the President approach and his support for the team, and that alone will make us fight hard on the pitch.

On the part of Ideye, the Dynamo Kiev goal poacher also on the same lane with Emenike, he says:: "we are ready for the toughest battle in Monrovia but we would smile back to Nigeria by the grace of God."

"We expect total battle from the lone stars but our individual forms and the team work can give us the edge."

A top official of the Nigerian Football Federation has exclusive told 9jasoccerblog that Keshi is looking toward the partnership of Emmanuel Emenike and Brown Ideye in the match today.