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.

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.