Francis Ike power team to Confederation cup

Dream team V invitee, Francis Ikechukwu was an hero far away in Sudan when he scored the goal that gave his team, Ahli Shandi FC of Khartoum ticket to compete in next years CAF Confederations cup.
The lanky striker who was in Ibadan and Ghana camp of Dream team V ahead of the on going CAF U-23 tournament in Morocco where he scored three goals in four friendlies but was dropped at last minute score his team winner against Hilal Kadoungi to earn them fourth placed finish on the log.
The elated Francis said he is happy that after putting the Dream team V drop behind him he was able to return to scoring ways for his team in Sudan and help them secure a continental ticket.
He said "I was sad that I could not make the team to Morocco, I taught I did my best to be in the team but the coaches felt otherwise, no bad feeling towards the crew, but I am happy that I did not allow the disappointment to affect me and return to goal scoring ways for my team, which eventually made it possible for us to finish fourth and qualify to play in next years confederation cup."
He however wish the dream team V victory in the last game.
He said "I was sad to watch my mates losing, it is not good, I am urging them to raise their game and put in more effort to see that they beat Algeria and pray that Morocco beat Senegal. All hope is not lost."
He scored 7 goals in the just concluded season for his team.

Euro participation excite Igiebor

By: OLUSOLA ALAO
Hapoel Tel Aviv of Israel and Super eagles midfielder, Nosa Igiebor has express his delight of playing in Europe glamorous club football competition, Europa League.
He said he is looking forward t helping his team, Hapoel do well when they take on FC Rapid Bucarest in Romania, though he said his heart his with the dream team V whom he wish he is with in Morocco.
The Ex-Warri Wolves player said “I am happy that I am participating in the competition of this magnitude, it is dream of all players to play in such competition, mine is not different. I will do my best to help my team do well in the competition, I will contribute my quota to see that we do well. I feel great playing at this stage, my aim is to move to a bigger club and bigger league. I am very sad and feel like a loser not to be in Morocco with all my effort to see that I am released by my club, but God knows best, my body is in Romania but my heart is in Morocco with the team and I pray they make it.”
FC Rapid Bucarest will play host to Hapoel Tel Aviv on Thursday.

Rangers bank on Aluko

By: OLUSOLA ALAO
Glasgow Rangers are hoping that their new signing, Nigeria winger, Omotsone Aluko will be a big boost for the team in the current campaign.
This was revealed by the team’s assistant Coach, Kenny McDowall who believes that that new signing will be a big player for Rangers following his debut at Rugby Park last weekend against Kilmarnock.
The former Nigeria junior International, who has been out of action since summer when his contract with Aberdeen expire did enough to impressed the club's assistant manager with his skilful wing play.
Aluko who spotted jersey number 19 showed flashes of the creative qualities he has in his locker.
The assistant Coach said "I think Sone did very well in the game. He was unlucky not to score on two occasions, one is cleared off the line and the other comes off the post. So we were pleased with him and he is just a bit unfortunate that for their goal he got caught as the last man. That can happen to anyone but in overall performance, we were delighted with his performance."
Aluko also denied that he and his parents had come up with a lump sum of £50,000 to stop Aberdeen blocking the deal earlier this week, but then declared that the move had only gone through because he had taken a financial hit.

Omagbemi looking beyond Honka

By: OLUSOLA ALAO
Former Nigeria U-23 International, Dudu Omagbemi has expressed his desire to play elsewhere next term.
The FC Honka of Finland goal poacher who was injured for better part of last term said he is happy with his performance last season and said he does not know where he will play next term due to the state of finance at his present team.
The Ex-Debreceni forward said “I can’t rate myself so much due to injury that affected me for better part of the season, but I was still able to score goals that make me the club second Highest Goal scorer despite playing few games. I was able to score 9 goals in 17 matches.
In the state of injury now, Omagbemi said he has returned to full training with Honka after he suffered internal mucsle pain.
He said “I am fine now, I resume training on Monaday and I feel no pain now, I am still training with my team but can’t say whether I will play for them next season because they have a financial problem, they are not owing me but things are not well here in term of money, I don’t know how tomorrow will be offer will be welcome.”
He however disclosed that his former team, Debreceni and his ex-agent owe him money.

Europa league action excites Igiebor

By: OLUSOLA ALAO
Maccabi Haifa of Israel and Super eagles midfielder, Nosa Igiebor has express his delight of playing in Europe glamorous club football competition, Europa League.
He said he is looking forward t helping his team, Maccabi do well when they take on FC Rapid Bucarest in Romania, though he said his heart his with the dream team V whom he wish he is with in Morocco.
The Ex-Warri Wolves player said “I am happy that I am participating in the competition of this magnitude, it is dream of all players to play in such competition, mine is not different. I will do my best to help my team do well in the competition, I will contribute my quota to see that we do well. I feel great playing at this stage, my aim is to move to a bigger club and bigger league. I am very sad and feel like a loser not to be in Morocco with all my effort to see that I am released by my club, but God knows best, my body is in Romania but my heart is in Morocco with the team and I pray they make it.”
FC Rapid Bucarest will play host to Maccabi Haifa on Thursday.

Anderlecht target Ukah

By: OLUSOLA ALAO
The days of Super eagles central defender, Ugochukwu Ukah at Polish team, Widzew Lodz are numbered as he is on the radar of Belgium Giant, Anderlecht whose official besiege the venue of a league match to get firsthand look on the Ex-Parma of Italy defender.
The former Queens Park Rangers of England player, whose profile has been on the rise since his debut or eagles as he was named man of the match in his club, Widzew Lodz of Poland 1-0 away win at Lech Poznan yesterday in Poland Ekstraklasa game.
Ukah who was the best player on the pitch for his team in a league match last weekend was at his best again for his Polish team this weekend and Anderlecht officials were on hand to watch towering defender whom they have shown interest in acquiring his service.
Speaking after the match on phone from his base, Ukah express his happiness for his career progress and hope he moved to higher league soon.
He said “I am happy with my performance and the progress I am making in my career. I did very well against Lech and was named the best on the pitch. It is encouraging, this is the second time in a row I am getting that recognition. I was given the responsibility to see that the top striker in the league with 16 goals, Rodnevs was put at bay which I was able to do successfully, infact Rodnevs acknowledge that at the end of the game. I was told that Anderlecht officials were around to watch me and they were impressed with what they saw. Let us see how it goes, I will keep doing well here to get better deal to bigger league, that has always be my dream.”
The Italian born Nigeria defender debut against Zambia in a friendly in Kaduna few.

Ukah eyes more eagles caps, emerge best player in Poland

By: OLUSOLA ALAO
Super eagles defender, Ugochukwu Ukah who debut for Nigeria in the friendly match against Zambia in kaduna has express his desire to play more games for Nigeria under Coach Stephen Keshi.
Ukah who was first call up by erstwhile coach, Samson Siasia for the friendly against Ghana in London came in as a second half substitute and describe that moment as fantastic in his career and said he want more.
The Widzew Lodz towering defender said “I am very happy that my dream of playing for Nigeria finally come through, I want it to continue, I will keep working hard and doing well for my team so as to earn more call up for my country. I know I am on course for more experience with eagles because the coach applauded me after the game and said I did well, that was a great word of encouragement, I must tell you Coach Keshi and Yobo are great leaders, I enjoyed working under the coach and crave for more, Yobo is a great guy that give mates confidence and self believe.”
On how is has been faring since return to his team after national duty, Ugo said “It was great, it gave me more confidence when I returned and I was named the man of the match in our match weekend.”

Worgu, Osunwa rule Sudan

By:OLUSOLA ALAO
Nigeria duo of Stephen Worgu and Kelechi Osunwa have emerged the champions of Sudanesse Super league for this season.
Kelchi Osunwa, 27 who is the strike partner to his compatriot, Worgu netted 7 goals while the U-23 striker, Stephen Worgu netted twice in the campaign.
The due became champions with El Merrech which emerge league winner with 72 points.
Another Nigerian, Francis Ikechukwu who have scored 4 goals for his team, Ahli Shandi FC of Khartoum will battle for a CAF Confederation ticket as his team currently placed fourth and can over take the third placed team by the time the last two games are played.
Francis Ikechukwu was part of Dream team V that camped in Ghana ahead of CAF U-23 championship in Morocco but surprisingly dropped form the team after netting three times in four friendlies.

YAK CLOSE TO 100 EPL GOAL

By: OLUSOLA ALAO
Blackburn Rovers and Nigeria International, Yakubu Abdulrazaq Aiyegbeni is the on the verge of setting a record as first Nigeria player to score 100 goals in the English Premier League.
Yakubu whose scoring ability is not in doubt since he debut in England for Portsmouth in 2003 have netted 102 goals in England for Premiership and championship while he has scored 91 goals in the EP so far.
Yak as he is fondly called scored 7 goals for Pompey in his first season in 2003, while he scored 29 goals for same team in the following season.
The Ex-Maccabi Haifa of Israel player scored 25 goals for Middlesborough between 2005 and 2007, he scored same number of goals for Everton in the EPL between 2007 and 2011. The Former Julius Berger of Lagos hitman netted 11 times for Leicester city in Championship last season and has scored 5 goals for Blackburn in the on going season.
His effort has not gone unnoticed as Eagles gaffer, Stephen Keshi has shown interest in handing him a recall to eagles after he has been sideline sine he played for Nigeria at South Africa 2010 world cup.
He has also scored 21 goals in 57 games he played for Nigeria.

Ogu join Leira, eyes Champioins league slot

By: OLUSOLA ALAO
Unknown Nigeria player, Ogu John Ugochukwu has sealed a deal with Portuguese side,Union Leira.
Ogu signed three years deal last week with the team after the officials were impressive about his output.
John was happy and looking forward to doing great things with the club.
He said "I feel very great that I signed the deal after I have been out due to injury for long, it is time to settle down to business and looking forward to achieve with my club. I am looking forward to winning league title and qualify for Champions league or Europa league while I am here. I am working hard to achieve that."
Ogu joined Union Leira from segunda team, Almeria

Orelesi tasks Dream team V on Olympic ticket

By: OLUSOLA ALAO
Dream team V defender who will be missing the Morocco party due to the inability of NFF to secure his release form his club, Nurudeen Orelesi has call on his teammates that will flying the flag of Nigeria at CAF U-23 tournament in Morocco to do everything withing their reach to secure Olympic ticket for Nigerians.
The FC Skenderbeu left back said he is sad with the development and that there is little or nothing he can do since the club insisted it was not in the FIFA calender.
He said :It was a sad situation for me because I was looking forward to winning the tourney with Nigeria, but my club stopped me because they said the competiion does not fall within the FIFA calender so I am needed in our quest to win the league, we are sixth and my club said they can't afford to allow me go. I am urging my colleagues who will be representing us in Morocco to put in their best and secure one of the ticket to play in London 2012 Olympics. I am wishing the team best of luck and injury free."

Bala eyes National team return

By: OLUSOLA ALAO
Former Nigeria Youth International, Joseph Bala has declared his intention to return to National team fold after enjoying his reign with flying eagles in 2007.
Bala, who is now playing for Oman Club said he did well with flying eagles and now expect to get a look in by U-23 team coach for the 2012 London Olympic football event.
He said "I am happy that I am doing well with Oman Club, I came here from Papa Lombard, Hungary on loan and I have settled well here, I scored on my debut and I am looking forward to score many goals. I enjoy my time playing for Nigeria U-20 team and I am looking forward to a return to National team. I will be glad if I get a call to play for Dream team in 2012 Olympics."

Oduamadi sad for missing CAF U-23 Championship

By: OLUSOLA ALAO
Super eagles and dream team attacking midfielder, Nnamdi Oduamadi has express is sadness for not making it to Morocco 2011, CAF U-23 Championship which serve as the 2012 Olympic football event qualifier.
The Torino player who was looking forward to the tournament before his team officials stopped him form honouring the call expended to him by Coach Austin Eguavoen said he was ready for the event before he was stopped, he tasks his team mates to put in their best and see that they make Nigerians laugh by securing the ticket for the Olympics.
He also said he will keep praying for the team.
He said “I am not happy that I could not make the team to Morocco, I was seriously looking forward to it but because the event fallout of FIFA Calendar and my team felt my absence in the team here in Torino will not be good for them as we are leading the table and in race for Serie A ticket, they stopped me. There is nothing I can do, I am urging my mates that will be in Morocco to put in their best and secure the ticket for Nigerians. I will keep praying for them. I hope to be part of the team to the Olympics next year.”
Torino is leading the pack in serie B with 34 points in 15 weeks old league

Obiefule: Work permit responsible for Malta return

By: OLUSOLA ALAO
Nigeria born striker, Polycarp Obinna Obiefule has disclosed that he left Norway to return to Malta to play for Marsaxlokk FC due to his inability to secure work permit.
He is also full of optimism that he will get a look in by Super eagles Coach, Stephen Keshi at the destined and appropriate time.

He said “I could not play for the team I signed for in Norway because I was not issued work permit, I have to be active so I returned to Malta to sign a year deal with Marsaxlokk. I will return there next summer.”

The player who score goal with ease in the Maltese Premier league said he felt bad that he has never been called by National teams’ selectors despite doing well at his club.
He said “As a human being I am not happy that I have not been recognized by any National team Coach at any level despite doing well for my clubs. I am sure I will play for eagles at appropriate time, everything in life is about time and I am waiting for my time to come, I am hoping that Coach Stephen Keshi will give me the needed debut in eagles.”
He commend the eagles new spirit under Coach Stephen Keshi and believe the team still have a lot of time to be a great team by paying more games.
“The team has done well in the first two games under Keshi, but they can get better. It is a matter of time before the team becomes the best it used to be, they need more friendly games and time to understand themselves.” Obiefule said.

Obiefule, 23 who play for Marsaxlokk FC of Malta has scored 10 goals in 11games in the on going season and has a Nigerian defender, Sunday Eboh as his team mate.