FALCONS INVITATION EXCITES HOPE ORIEKA

Super Falcons newcomer, Hope Orieka is of the opinion that Nigeria women national team have all the qualities to advance to the next stage of FIFA Women World cup, Germany 2011 form a group which comprises of host, Germany, Canada and France

The Nigeria born striker who have played professional football in Finland for four years playing for KPV, ONS and VISA PALLO said the opponent may have name on paper but the Nigeria team is full of great talented players with Coaching crew that worth its onions.

She said “If the teams are looked at on paper, we have no chance of advancing but this is football, we have all it take to beat all the three teams that are in our group, we have players that are talented and playing in Europe as well, the technical crew are experience hands, I am sure with God on our side we will qualify from the group”

The Former FCT Queens Football club of Abuja goal getter who won the SUOMEN CUP in Finland in 2008 said her parent were in full support of her choosing career despite football been regard as a game for male.

The Turkey bound player said “I am happy that my parent give me full backing to be a footballer, I started playing football from childhood and my parents have never for one day ask me not to play, so they encourage me”

She also express are happiness for the invitation extended to her by Coach Uche Euchjaria and promise not to let her down.

“This is an opportunity that I have been waiting for, I was happy when I got the invitation. I am ready to represent my country, I will do my best to get into the final list and go ahead to do Nigeria proud at the world cup. I will not disappoint the coach for having believed in me to gives me a call to Super falcons” Hope said.

She score 14 goals last season VISAPALLO.

AHMED MUSA SCORE FIRST GOAL FOR VENLO

Super eagles and VVV Venlo of Holland striker, Ahmed Musa has ended his goal drought at his Eredevisie team when he struck in the 37th minutes in VVV Venlo 1-6 lost to AZ Alkmaar.

Ahmed Musa who has featured for his team regularly since joining the team from kano Pillars. has find it difficult to find the back of the net but broke that jinx weekend with a spectacular goal, he express his happiness for scoring but felt sad the team lost the game scandalously.

The Former JUTH FC of Jos player said "I am happy that I finally got my first goal for Venlo after a long wait. It is a great thing when striker score goals, but I would have been happier had it been we won the game because we were 3 goals down when I scored that gal, I taught we will fight back but that was not the case, I will keep striving hard to get more goals especially those that will win games for us"

YAKUBU SCORES ON DEBUT

Out of favour Super eagles striker, Yakubu Aiyegbeni has open his goal scoring account in his debut game for Leicester City on Saturday in the 1-1 away draw with Preston North end.

Yakubu Aiyegbeni who has been relegated to the bench at Everton was loaned to the championship side and has taken the bull by the horn scoring in 60th minutes to give Leicester the lead before Iain Hume spoilt the show with a 90th minute equaliser.

Yak's goal was a classical one, with a tremendous dummy, leaving the home defence stunned and Lonergan unable to move. Yakubu's body swerve moved the whole Preston defence in unison before he powered in the shot.

He was given loudest ovation Foxes faithful when he was substituted in 86th minutes.

Speaking after the encounter, Leicester boss, Sven-Goran Eriksson commend Yakubu and his team mates for a good job and now focusing on shocking Manchester city out of FA Cup in the repaly game.

He said  "I commend the players for great display. Yakubu is a good addition to the team and I am happy he did not disappoint in his first game. We came very close to another away win, but we now move on to the FA Cup and our replay against Manchester City on Tuesday. Our supporters were magnificent again today and they will be there again on Tuesday. We will do all we can to achieve a result and send them home happy.

"I know we are getting closer to what we want. It will happen very soon, we will keep improving and I believe we can still achieve our aims."

EDET IBOK: I AM IN EAGLES TO STAY

Former Nigeria Junior International and Athletico Beleares defence ace, Edet Ibok who was called by Coach Samson Siasia to Super eagles for the friendly against Guatemala on February 9th has express his happiness over the invitation and believe he is in eagles to stay as he is ready to battle other players for the shirt in Eagles central defence.

Edet said he is not afraid of any opposition has he will give his best to claim one of the shirt in eagles central for long provided he got chance to feature in the game.

He said "I am happy for the eagles invitation, It is great. That has been my dream after playing at the U-20m world cup. I am going to give my best to see that I will be invited for subsequent game and be a regular in the team. I know I have all it takes to challenge anay player in the role, I will do my best if given chance to play in the game I am invited for. I am here to claim one of the central defence shirt for myself permanently'

SANI BRAZIL HIT GOAL NUMBER 11 IN SPAIN

The Jos born UD Galdar goal monger, Goringo Sani popularly known as Sani Brazil has took his goal haul in Spain third tier league to 11 when he netted his team consolatory goal in 1-2 lose to San Jose away form home.

Sani who is the second tip scorer in the league believe he will score more to lifted his team and promote them to next division.

AC MILAN GOAL MONGER, SAIDAT AWAITS FALCONS INVITATION

The Nigeria born AC Milan female team free scoring striker, Saidat Adegoke has expressed her willingness to join the Super Falcons camp ahead of the Germany 2011 FIFA Women world cup.

Saidat who was second top scorer in Italian women league last season with 16 goals said she has all it takes to lead the Falcons to a greater achievement in Germany.

Saidat Adegoke who has scored 6 goals so far in the 9 weeks old Italian women league has been instrumental to AC Milan ladies top spot in the league.

She said "I am a Nigerian and I am eagerly await call up to play for Super falcon at the FIFA Women world cup in Germany this year, I believe I have all it takes to represent Nigeria and take the team's goals scoring responsibilities upon myself. All I need is a trial. I was in Germany for the Falcons friendly and played just five minutes and I am happy the Coaches love what they saw in me withing that small period I was on the pitch. I am waiting for the call up fr the world cup camp"

AHMED MUSA MOVES TO TURKEY, WELCOME FUNSO OJO

Super Eagles and VVV Venlo of Holland whizkid, Ahmed Musa is jetted out to Holland to Turkey alongside his teammates for training camp ahead of league resumption.

Ahmed Musa miss his team's last tune up game against FC den Bosch which his team won 2-1.

Meanwhile Ahmed Musa has express his joy over the arrival of another Nigerian, Funso ojo to the team and wish he do well for the team as they fight to get out of drop zone in Dutch to flight.

He said "We are in Turkey preparing for the league resumption, we need concentration so that we can do well when matches resume, we don't want to go down, that is why we are all preparing and training hard for the games we have left. I welcome Funso to the fold, I hope he will contribute to our battle to survive"

Funso Ojo join VVV Venlo on loan from PSV Eindovoen till the end of the season.

ODAFE OKOLIE INJURED

Nigeria born free scoring striker of Churchill Brothers FC of India, Odafe Okolie face some weeks on the sideline after he suffered injury on his legs in a game with Salgaocar during the week.

He was removed in 29th minutes of the encounter when he could not continue the game which his team lost 3-4.

The extent of the injury is yet to be disclosed.
He is currently the league top scorer with 15 goals from 7 games

OBIKA JOIN PETERBOROUGH UNITED

Nigeria born England Youth International, Jonathan Chiedozie Obika has joined Peterborough United on loan from Totenham Hotspur after a stint with Crystal palace.

Obika featured at Egypt 2009 U-20 for England. He was at Crystal palace on loan last season but was not so impressive.

His best display was 2009/2010 season where he scored 6 goals in 22 games for Yoevil.

The 20 years old striker will be hoping for a better performance with Peterborough United

Akinsola hits goal number 6 in Spain

Former eaglets Striker, Kabiru Akinsola has increase is goal haul in Spain second division to 6 after he netted on resumption from Chrismas and New year break for his team, Zamora CF in the lost 1-2 to Athletico Bibao B.

The powerfully build striker  who is loan from Salamanca CF is optimistic of leading his team to the next level of Spanish football and move to higher stage of club football by summer.

He said “I am happy that I return from holiday with a goal, though I was not fully happy as my team did not win, but I will keep doing my best for the team to aid its good performance to promote to next stage, you know I am on loan here, I want to do well here and move to higher stage of my career. I also wish to play for Nigeria U-23 team. I know I have all it takes to do well for the team”

KEHINDE'S EXPLOIT WILL SPORE ME TO GREAT THINGS - TAYE FATAI

Nigeria born midfielder, Taye Fatai, the twin brother of Nigeria born striker and rave or the moment in Romania, Kehinde Fatai who just join Astra Ploiestic in Romania same team with his brother has disclosed that his brother's exploit in Romania with Farul Constanta and now Astra Ploiestic will motivate him to achieve greatness in Romania. The midfielder who is with the second team of Astra playing in second division has featured in more than 6 games since arriving and is happy to join foreign legions. He said "I am happy to be here and I have played two games so far, kenny's performance in Romania will serve as motivator to me to do well, he has make name here and create way for me to be appreciated, so I am here to play well and make name as well"

I CAN TIGHTENED EAGLES LEAKING DEFENCE – POLAND BASED UGO UKAH

The Italian born Nigerian defender, Ugochukwu Ukah has declare his intention to don the Eagles green and white jersey believing he has the qualities to sanitize the eagles wobbling defence line if given the needed opportunity by Coach Samson Siasia.

The Widzew Lodz of Poland defender also believes Nigeria players will rise again as far as CAF award is concern.

He talked about how he becomes a footballer, his ups and downs as well as his major ambition to play for Eagles and many more.

Tell us about yourself?

I am a Nigerian defender born in Italy 26 years ago to Nigeria parents. I grew up playing football. And I have played for clubs like Parma, Regienna, Truetina, Pro Vasta, both in Italy, I played for Queens Park Rangers in England alongside Danny Shittu. I played for Giulianovia in Italy before I joined my present team, Widzew lodz in Poland about three seasons ago.

Having played in Italy, England and now Poland, what can you say about the three leagues?

They are all good leagues with different characteristics. In Italy where I started the game as an amateur and professional, tactics matters a lot and we do a lot of running in Italian league. It is tough and strong. In England, it is tougher because you have to be strong because it is physical and faster than Italy.  But Poland is the combination of both, the league has improved tremendously and still improving, it is a league that gives Players Avenue to show their talents for those bigger leagues to see. There are a lot of different countries National team players here as well so Polish league is not lacking in qualities. The fact that the country is hosting the next EURO, in 2012, it ahs open doors for many sponsors that have been coming in and it is good for the league.

How will you rate your team’s performance this term?

We did not start well, but gradually we manage to get back and playing better, our position on the table has improved, we have new coach who brought new ideas to the team and that has been helping us for better and we are hoping for a better performance when the league resume after the Xmas break. We are aiming to finish among the top four and get a continental ticket.

Who are your role models when you are growing up as a player?

As a young boy who loves the game and playing it, I take time to watch some games, I love Williams Gallas, Lillian Thuram and always hope to be like them, but when I started growing up, I was interested and making name and have a style for myself and be Ugo for others to emulate.

What are your ambitions as a player?

I have my ultimate ambition to play for Nigeria Super eagles since my childhood. I will be glad if I am given the chance to play for Eagles, I have watch Nigeria matches recently, and with due respect to all the players, I see that I can do well to make the eagles defence more solid. I know myself and what I can do. I will be glad if Coach Samson Siasia gives me the chances needed to prove myself and excel with Eagles.I have the qualities. I am very sure the coach will be glad he did because that has been my long time ambition.

We have seeing situation where by many Nigerians that were born outside the country play dream to play for other nation, haven’t you dream of such?

I have never have that taught because I know I am a full blooded Nigerian, I am close to my family and they all love eagles and watch Nigeria team, I love my country and that was why I did not consider playing for my country of birth and others that have interest in me.

Did you face any objection from your parents on your choice of career?

I was combining football and education from the beginning but I have been concentrating on football, all what my parents do tell me is that I should face my study as I am doing for football, but at 17, I saw my potentials and join a team that shape me well. I could not combine university education with football and that is why I dropped but I will later go to school but I am concentrating fully on Football now because I am destined to be great as a footballer.

Nigerians have been shot out of CAF Award for a long time, what do you think is responsible for that?

That is football. It does happen. Spain for example are nowhere to be found some years back in football but now they are winning everything, Brazil are not like before, so same is affecting Nigeria. We will get back to that stage. We have good players but will soon become world star. The CAF award will soon come back to Nigeria.

When was your best moment?

That was when I signed contract with Widzew lodz. I felt good and I have even captain the team for some matches this season, been an African, it means I am appreciated. They gave me the needed support here, I feel good. I am sure I will achieve better things.

When was your low point?

That was when I played for Queens Park Rangers, though I signed good contract but after playing some games, I was dropped despite playing well for some players I am better than, but with hard work and God as well as my family support, I see through my contract with them

ODAFE OKOLIE NETTED FIVE IN A GAME

Nigeria born Churchill Brothers Sporting Club striker, Odafe Onyeka Okolie has took his goal tally to 15 from 7 matches after hitting 5 goals past AIFF XI goalkeeper in the 6-0 routing in Indian I-league.

Edafe has been the top scorer n Indian league for the past four seasons and is leading the way in India in 2010/2011 season.

KEHINDE FATAI RATED BEST IN ROMANIA

Recuperating Former Nigeria Junior International, Kehinde Fatai was rated as the best player  and best striker in the hierarchy of Astra ploiestic rank in the ongoing season.

The Former JUTH FC of Jos and FC Farul of Romania goal getter was picked by the team fans in a pole as the best player and striker in the side having scored 6 league goals and 2 FA Cup goals out of 16 games played before he got injured.

He is happy with the award and hopes to return to action as soon as the second stanza resume.

He said “I am happy with the rating by fans, I love them all and I am happy that they appreciate me, I hope to return for the second stanza because I am feeling great now and will soon return to training. I want to help my team do well and I want to score more goals as well”

He was also rated third most featured player in the team behind the Captain, Takayuki Seto who is the second hotshot of the team.

He also hope to have a return to national team with Coach Augustine Eguavoen led Dream team after he played for Flying eagles at Egypt 2009 World youth championship.