MONDAY JAMES: Life is good for me without Eagles shirt

Sweden based centre defender Monday James says he has not regretted not playing for the Nigeria senior national team despite being part of the successful U-20 and U-23 team.

He said not getting a call for the Super Eagles is not a big deal.

The Bayelsa state born star played an integral part in Flying Eagles team that went to the final of FIFA U-20 World Cup in 2005 but was defeated by Lionel Messi’s brace and also at the 2008 Olympic football game still led by Samson Siasia. James future looks bright at the tournaments, with his understanding with Onyekachi Apam but the duo were sideline in the Super Eagles team.

James was asked if had any regret for not playing for the Super Eagles to upgrade it career at club level, he replied with a sound voice that: “I can never have any regret for not playing for Super Eagles, of course I have played at two categories and I did my best, so why must I have any regrets?”

“I thank God for everything about my career, I am a happy man with much optimism that I will be at the top rank in this game, I understand the fact that the road to success must surely rough so that you can know the importance of success,” he explained.

“We are different creature by the same creator (Glory be to him), and everybody has his own time to achieve greatness, even though some of us are born with greatness while some achieve it in this life. I have never doubt myself, so playing for Nigeria is not a do or die.

“I am concentrating on my games here and I believe some better will come out of it at the end. I am playing every week in my club and I am enjoying every bit of the game here but sooner or later the big doors will open for sure.

IHUGBA confident of Sarpsborg topflight

Sarpsborb 08 midfielder Stanley Chinedu Ihugba has remain confident of his club promotion back to the Norwegian topflight this season with their consistent run in the lower league.

The talented midfielder has been on the which list of some European clubs, and has politely responded to the speculations surrounding his future that he still dream of moving, probably after the season as he’s enjoying another season with his club and hope to get better offers before the end of the season.

Ihugba has been an inspirational player in Sarpsborg team this season with 16 sensational appearances and has been told by the club coach to give 100% concentration to lift the club with most of the scoring goals coming from him.

“I am still nursing the ambition of playing at the top clubs either in Norway or outside but my focus now is to help this club back to top division,” Said Ihugba in an exclusive chat.

“My coach has categorically told me to give more than 100%, to also help myself. Because my game can lift the club as I am doing right now and it can bring a better offer for me but he does not want me to leave the club.”

“Of course I know I have improve a lot this season because I never allow my transfer rumours to distract me and I was never desperate to make a wrong move because my agent (Attah) has told me to remain focus with the team and by so doing things could work better than the way I thought and that is the secret of my impressive games so far. 

AKINSOLA: I’m getting closer to La Liga

Former Nigeria Under-17 star Kabiru Akinsola has outlined his desire to score as many goals as possible to help his new Segunda A club, Racing Santander back to Spanish topflight after completing a season loan deal last week.

Akinsola, who was on loan at Segunda B side Cadiz from Granada in the La Liga last season, netted 12 goals from 23 games and was the club’s leading goal scorer and second top scorer in the Segunda B.

Now, Racing Santander have announced the signing of the Nigerian international from Granada after completing an initial loan deal in Cardiz CF till end of next season with an option of permanent deal.

"I'm very happy to be here, Racing are a huge club. I hope to score as many goals as possible to lift the club back to the topflight next season. Of course, I want to win trophies here, that is what I want."

"There's a very good squad here and we want to fight for titles and win titles," he told the Arsenal Player website.

"The club has made a big step to sign players to have a better team and meet the expectations of the fans. And I am very happy to be part of the programme.

“Last season was great for me in Cardiz CF and I believe this season with Racing Santander will be greater than last season in terms of performance and goal scoring abilities.

“I believe the club can go back to La Liga next season because most of the players have the experience already and being of the team is a plus for me to gain more exposure of top level.”

PAUL OBIEFULE: Football has brought me joy

Former Eagles star, Paul Obiefule, can not hide the joy and glory that football has brought his way. The Finland-based midfielder is still upbeat to continue his career at the international scene as he is still dreaming big to ply his trade  in China after his initial bid to ply his trade  in the Asian side failed.  In this interview, he affirms that football career success depends largely on sterling performance and luck and therefore urges upcoming players to always  be committed to their dream by giving their best.

You have plied your trade in both Finland and Norway. How would you compare football in these two countries?
In terms of environment, they share the same attributes. The atmosphere in Finland is very conducive for me. It has always been the same environment. But in terms of football, Norway is bigger. But I am enjoying every bit of actions in Finland. Norwegian League is more attractive. That is why most Nigerian players like to start their career in Norway because of the good facilities as well as the TV right in most matches. But in Finland, the TV right is still lacking. However, they play good football. The cities are fantastic and I am well respected maybe because of my wealth of experience.

How did you find yourself in Finland, having played in Denmark and Norway?
In this life, it is not every time that things would go according to plans. I had an offer from China and we had a deal. So, I terminated my contract with Honefoss. But unfortunately, the club management was changed and that also changed everything. Along the line, KuPS came calling and we agreed a deal.

How easy was it for you to settle in Finland?
It was very easy for me to adapt because Norway and Finland share the same culture. In fact, they almost have everything in common.

Did you rue missing the China deal?
Not really. I would have loved to be there. China is a beautiful place and their football is fast improving. But that is in the past now. I don’t allow that to depress me because I am focused on KuPS. Perhaps, it is not yet time for me to play there. But I am still nursing the dream to play there some day.

How has it been playing in the Finnish league?
It has been a wonderful experience. I play regularly for them and I think they are realy appreciating my contributions.

What are your dreams with the club?
To do very well. But I won't stay long because I want to go for bigger challenges which have been my dream.

Where is your next destination?
It is still a secret that I am keeping to myself for now. Very soon, it will be revealed when I the deal is sealed.

Is China likely to be your next destination since teams are breaking  banks for players?
I can't say for now. In most cases, players’ movements are not all about money. Some are adventurous. For me, I love culture. So, my choice of destination depends predominantly on this condition.

What has football done for you?
It has given me everything in life. I may not be as rich or famous as Beckham, but I thank God for what he has helped me to achieve so far through football. To be frank, God has blessed me a lot through football. I am a proud footballer because it has brought me joy and happiness.

Obinna, your brother, became a hot cake in Malta, following his superlative goal-scoring records. Do you see him having the chance to play in one of the top clubs in Europe soon?
He is a good player and has proved his mettle so much. I believe with his record of achievements so far, he will soon play in the top league. I have  urged him to keep the flag flying and with time, he will definitely join a big league because he has the physique to meet up with the expectations. Everything in this game is about performance and luck and I pray God will be on his side to get him  bigger contracts in top leagues.

Did you watch him play for the national team?
He is doing well. I think he will get his chance. Keshi is doing well, especially by giving every good player the chance to prove themselves. I am sure Obinna will get his time in Eagles.

How would you feel if Obinna decided to play for another country?
I would not feel bad because he has right to choice. I would only wish him well.

IDEYE: I want to lead EAGLES ATTACK

Ukraine-based Brown Ideye has dared rival Nigeria strikers by saying he is the man to lead the Eagles strike force.
 
The Dynamo Kiev striker is set for a return to the Super Eagles for next month’s 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Liberia.
 
Ike Uche, Emmanuel Emenike, Osaze Odemwingie, Yakubu Aiyegbeni and John Utaka are among the strikers Ideye will have to battle to spearhead the Nigeria attack.
 
"I am the top striker at my club and that is why I have always scored goals with ease. I understand the way the Eagles play and so I will play better as a point man,” said Ideye
 
“I love playing as the point man. That is when my best will be seen.
 
“I have nothing to prove than what I have been doing in my club. This has really boosted my confidence that I can always deliver for my country whenever I was given the opportunity to lead the attack.”
 
The former Sochaux of France star was an unused squad member to the 2010 World cup in South Africa after he was named as a late substitute for the injured Chelsea midfielder Mikel Obi.
 
The former Nigeria U20 star has yet to score at full international level.
 
He maintained that the Eagles will soon be great again with the support of the fans.
 
“Nigeria is bigger than any player and that is why we must come and serve better, but at times things don't work as expected, that is when the fans react negatively which I think is normal, but we still need their support always. And I believe Super Eagles will be great again,” he stated.  

EMENIKE: I can do it again in TURKEY

...As Spartak Moscow website hacked by Turkish nationalist group

Spartak Moscow ace Emmanuel Emenike has said he would have been happier with more goals against Fenerbahce in a UEFA Champions League tie.

On Tuesday, Emenike scored a 59th minute opener in his side’s 2-1 home win over his former team with the return leg fixed for next week.

The big striker revealed he wanted to score more than one goal to help his team to an emphatic victory to make the return leg in Turkey easier.

“We deserved the victory because we dominated the game and we showed class,” Emenike told MTNFootball.com

“It was an exciting game, we both played an open game. We wanted an emphatic victory but it did not happen and I wanted to score more than one goal so that we could be safer going to Turkey because I know the return leg will be tough.

“At least for now, we are at advantage and we can go all the way to make it to the next stage of the competition after the second leg in Turkey."

Emenike was replaced in the 72nd minute by Brazilian striker Wellington.

The powerful Nigeria striker put his team in front in the 59th minute after he received a pass from Kombarov before Dirk Kuyt equalised for the Turkish team in the 65th minute.

Victory was secured for Emenike and his teammates in the 69th minute when Kombarov struck with a superb shot off a corner.

Meanwhile, Nationalist Turks hacked the website of Spartak Moscow last night to demand that team officials apologize after a group of fans from theRussian side burned Turkish flags and Atatürk posters during an Aug. 21 Champions League playoff against Fenerbahçe.

The group replaced the website's original content with a statement that called on the team to "immediately apologize."

"You will immediately apologize to the Turkish Republic and the Turkish people. No crime goes without punishment, and FIFA may forgive you, but we won't," the statement read.

A portrait of Atatürk next to a Turkish flag was also posted on the website.

Spartak Moscow fans burned flags and posters of modern Turkey's founding father, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, during their team’s 2-1 victory over the Istanbul giants in the first leg of their Champions League playoff.

An official response is yet to come from UEFA, but Russian media reports hinted at a possible end to Spartak's Champions League journey if football authorities decide to come down hard on the club.

CHIBUIKE TARGETS success with Rosenborg

Rosenborg’s John Chibuike says he is ready to give it all for 'silverware in every competition' and apparently looking forward to Europa Cup league  qualifiers clash against Legia Warszawa of Poland on Wednesday.

The 23-year-old utility player has been an integral part of the Norwegian outfit following his move from BK Hackens of Sweden. 

Chibuike who was on target last Sunday in their emphatic 3-0 win against Sogndal disclosed that he wants to help his club to Europa cup group stage by beating Warszawa in the first leg of Europa league qualifiers on Wednesday in Poland.

Chibuike told 9jasoccerboysblog: "I'm very happy to be here. It's a massive club with fantastic players. We're a big club and we want to be aiming to win league titles, personally, I want to lift because some of the players here have won it before and we are still looking towards it again. I just wish and also working towards silverware this season.

"We are ready for Warszawa. But the most important thing is to get off to a good start by taking some points in our away game and then get a good momentum that we can take into the second leg next

Chibuike also outlined his own personal targets after playing 14 matches this season.

"I joined Rosenborg because of trophies and I believe we can win something this season, I want to be part of successful player of the team and that is why I am really giving it all. I am very positive and playing in a team like Rosenborg is a privilege.”

"I'd like to play as much as I can and I want to win trophies because the squad is more than good enough," he said.

ODIBE CONFIDENT of victory against Slovan in Europa

FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk central defender Michael Odibe has insisted that his club can progress deep into the Europa League Cup next season if they can beat Czech Republic outfit, Slovan Liberec in the first leg of the encounter in Liberec. 
 

The Ukrainian club finished at 4^th position last season, but Odibe who shown like millions of stars for Arsenal Kiev last season before signed another loan deal with Dnipro after interests from top European clubs, believes that the club will provide a better showing this time around. 

"We want to make shock storm to Europa league,” Odibe told 9jasoccerboysblog.

 “We hope to give our best against Slovan tomorrow, to give us hope in the second leg.”

“I believe we can do wild thing this season, though we are not favourite when we get to the main stage of the game but we can surprise everybody because we are determined to make this club bigger than this in terms of European action and our target is to fight harder for the title this season to give us chance of another European action.  But we are ready to prove some shocking now.”

"However, this year claiming the league title remains one of the club's objectives, a feat that is not impossible.”

Odibe, tall and graceful defender with solid distribution out of defense, made 17 appearance for Arsenal Kiev in the Ukrainian championship last season, in which the defender scored four goals.

EMENIKE ready to deny Yobo Champions League spot

Nigeria striker Emmanuel Emenike has said he will stop compatriot Joseph Yobo and Fenerbache in Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League playoffs.
 
Big striker Emenike and his Russian club Spartak Moscow host Yobo’s Turkish giants for the right to feature in the group stage of the Champions League.

And Emenike believes he and not Yobo will be the one smiling at the end of the clash.
 
“Yobo is a great player and a good motivator. I respect him a lot as a national team captain, as a friend and brother. But he also knows what I am capable of doing,” said Emenike.
 
“I wish both of us could qualify, but that is not possible now. We are friends from now till match day, once we get to the field, we don’t know ourselves again.
 
“I want to see Yobo congratulating me for making it to the group stage, while I console him and his team mates to work harder the next time.

He added: “Fenerbahce are a big team and I respect them a lot, but I believe we will beat them. I will give my best to ensure we beat them.”
 
Emenike moved from Fenerbache to Russia without kicking a ball in anger for the top Turkish club.

In their only previous meetings with Turkish opposition, Spartak drew 0-0 away and then won 2-1 at home against Galatasaray AS in the 1993/94 UEFA Champions League group stage,so are not new to teams from Turkey.

Spartak are looking to advance to an 11th group stage campaign, while Fenerbahçe are seeking their first involvement since 2008/09 and seventh in total.

EMENIKE dedicates victory to BABY BOY

…set to shock Yobo in Champions League qualifiers

Spartak Moscow striker Emmanuel Emenike has dedicated his team's victory on Saturday over Rubin Kazan to his elder brother newly born baby who was christened as Emmanuel Emenike junior on Sunday, according to his lder brother, Ebuka Emenike.

Emenike fires blank in Spartak Moscow victory over Obafemi Martin’s club Rubin Kazan on Saturday in one of their Russian league games. The victory still make Spartak maintain the second spot on the log following their 2-1 win, and Emenike who shines for 70 minutes has dedicated the victory to his brother new born baby.

Speaking exclusively on Sunday, the former Karabukspor king of goals is looking towards the UEFA Champions League qualifiers against Fenerbahce who will be parading his Super Eagles captain, Joseph Yobo on Tuesday for the first leg in Moscow while the second leg takes place next week Wednesday in Turkey.

“I’m happy that we won our match against Rubin Kazan, a tough team like that, we were 1-0 down before we came back to shock them. It was a crucia  victory and I have dedicated the victory to my brother’s new baby boy who was named after me. I wish I could be there to witness the naming but I have done this in his name,” said Emenike in a telephone conversation from Russia.

“We were down last week after heavy defeat from Zenith but thank God that we bounce back before our match against Fenerbahce.”

“Fenerbahce game is going to be tough but we want to win and play in UEFA Champions League this season, we have the advantage of playing the first leg at home which is more important for us to to win because Turkey will be more tougher.”

Proud parents, Ebuka Emenike and Mary Ogochukwu Emenike celebrate as two-week-old Emenike junior is christened in biggest occasion in Lagos yesterday.