The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Olorundare

  • El Kanemi close to signing Okonkwo, Olorundare, others

    El Kanemi close to signing Okonkwo, Olorundare, others

     

    El Kanemi Warriors are close to the signing of Chibuzo Okonkwo, Dele Olorundare and Abdullahi Bala with the hope of strengthening the team ahead of the second round of the premier league season which kicks off next weekend.

    The trio are presently sweating it out in Maiduguri and officials of the Borno Army have sent necessary papers to the League Management Company (LMC) with a view to securing their services for the remainder of the season.

    The Media Officer of the team, Anthony Obaseki told SportingLife that other players of the team will resume for the start of the second round build up on Friday ahead of next weekend tie in Ilorin against ABS and that the club is looking at adding five players while allowing same number of players leave to other clubs on transfer.

    Obaseki confirmed the exit of Yakubu Auta and Zabaya Jonathan who have both been signed up by Niger Tornadoes for the rest of the season.

    El Kanemi Warriors are third on the log with 33 points from 19 games.

  • Heartland’s Efugh, Olorundare join Abia Warriors

    Heartland’s Efugh, Olorundare join Abia Warriors

    Abia Warriors have announced the signing of several new players including Heartland skipper Chinedu Efugh and Dele Olorundare from Sunshine Stars.

    Other new signings are Musa Newman from MFM FC, Doumbia from Heartland as well as Nigeria U-23 player Seun Olulayo.

    Left-sided attacking midfielder Olulayo won the 2015 U-23 AFCON in Senegal with Coach Samson Siasia. He put pen to paper at the club’s headquarters in Umuahia on Tuesday afternoon.

    Abia Warriors barely escaped relegation last season and under new coach Okey Emordi.

  • Olorundare backs Sunshine Stars to win first Nigeria league title

    Olorundare backs Sunshine Stars to win first Nigeria league title

    Sunshine Stars striker Dele Olorundare has backed his club to make history by winning a first-ever Nigeria league championship ahead of favourites Rangers, Wikki Tourists, River United and FC IfeanyiUbah.

    Sunshine stars are currently sixth on the league table with 46 points from 31 games, just seven points adrift of leaders Wikki Tourists.

    “The league is not yet won or lost, we can still win the league, we will keep working hard. I am sure with God everything is possible,” Olorundare said.

    The Jos-born striker has scored nine goals for Sunshine Stars this season.

  • I’m back to form, Olorundare warns NPFL teams

    I’m back to form, Olorundare warns NPFL teams

    Sunshine Stars striker, Dele Olorundare said he has discovered his scoring form after netting twice against MFM in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) match day 24 clash decided at the Akure Township Stadium on Sunday.

    The veteran striker scored twice within five minutes in the second half to take his tally to seven this season as the Owena Waves climbed the standings to fifth with 35 points.

    Olorundare broke the deadlock in the 72nd minute with a well taken free kick before completing his brace from the spot four minutes after defender, Austin Opara was adjudged to have handled the ball in his own box.

    “It’s a good thing to score against MFM. I’m always looking forward to score goals because that is what a striker always look forward to have in every game he plays. He wants to distinguish himself by scoring, so I’m very grateful and happy for my team mates, most especially my captain and the chairman for their support. I thank God I’m coming back to my real form that people knew me about and I hope my goals will continue to come this season.”

    Olorundare revealed that the team is right now focused on the league title.

    “We are looking forward to securing a continental ticket at the end of the season but the league title is the most paramount we are pushing forward to achieve and I know by the special grace of God it’s still within our reach,” Olorundare said.

  • Olorundare comes clean over Sunshine contract saga

    Olorundare comes clean over Sunshine contract saga

    Sunshine stars striker Dele Olorundare has opened up on his botched move to Shooting Stars Sports Club of Ibadan after the Ondo state owned club did not sanction his release from the Akure Gunners.

    In an interview with www.footballlive.ng Olorundare said that he has no hard feeling towards the club as he really didn’t want to leave Sunshine stars but that the club failed to meet his personal demand for a pay rise which Shooting stars was willing to meet hence the reason to leave the club. The player has since returned to Sunshine stars.

    ”My club did not release me and it wasn’t my intention to leave the club at any point, I even had plans of kicking off the season with them.

    ”It was just unfortunate we couldn’t reach an agreement on personal terms. I expected a wage increase but they refused to and that was the factor.”

  • Olorundare aims higher after Turkish misadventure

    Olorundare aims higher after Turkish misadventure

    Sunshine Stars striker Dele Olorundare has told MTNFootball.com he hopes to be the top scorer back in Nigeria after a short-lived stint in Turkey. Olorundare joined Tavsanli Linyitspor on a loan deal last summer but terminated his contract because of a breach of contract by the Turkish division two club. Excerpts:

    How will you relate playing in Turkey and Nigeria leagues?

    Olorundare: Playing in Turkey was very good for me, it is a strong league, though the Nigeria league too is good, but it can’t be compared with the Turkish league.

    What really went wrong in Turkey that forced you back to Nigeria?

    We had an agreement, but they failed to honour it. There was a breach of contract on the club’s part as they did not pay me, so when I couldn’t cope any more, I had to terminate the contract and came back to my darling club Sunshine Stars.

    What can you say about the Nigeria league compared to when you left?

    There has been an improvement in the league, especially in terms of security at match venues. The stadiums too are looking good. But we could still do better in Nigeria.

    Did you regret leaving the Nigeria league for Turkey?

    No. Not at all. Everything in life is about time, may be the time was not yet ripe for me then.

    What did you gain playing in Turkey?

    It has improved me as a player. I have gained more experience.

    What do you hope to achieve with Sunshine Stars on your return?

    Definitely a continental ticket is my target, but I won’t rule out winning the league.

    You were leading the goal scorers’ chart before you left for Turkey, what is your target as regards the number of goals you hope to score this season?

    You are right. I want to win the top scorers’ award at the end of the season.

    How was your relationship with other Nigerians in Turkey?

    It was cordial. I was at home at Tavsanli because I had three Nigerians as my team mates, we were like a family.

    Apart from your team mates, who are the others you related well with?

    My mates at Sunshine, Izu Azuka, Gani Oseni and Ekigho Ehiosun. My relationship with them was cordial.

    How much do Tavsanli owe you?

    They owe me $20,000, which is two months’ salary.

    What are you doing to see that they pay up?

    My lawyer is working hard on it and he has taken the club to the Turkey Football Federation’s arbitration court.

  • Three-match ban for Olorundare

    Three-match ban for Olorundare

    Ex-Sunshine Stars striker Dele Olorundare has been suspended for three games in Turkey following his expulsion in a league match.

    Olorundare, was red-carded while in action for Tavsanli Liyintspor against Karsiyaka, where he gave an assist for the goal in a game they played 1-1 away from home.

    He told MTNFootball.com he was misjudged to have retaliated.

    “Yes, I got a straight red card in our game against Karsiyaka. I was kicked to the ground but my leg touched the offender while I rolled on the turf, but the referee saw it as retaliation. I have taken it in good faith and looking forward to return soon,” Olorundare told MTNFootball.com

    He missed this weekend’s 3-3 draw at home against Manisaspor,and he will sit out against Iskenderun and Kahramanmaraspor.

    Olorundare, who has scored a goal for the division two side, will return for home tie against Istanbul BB.

    The Jazzy Stars of Jos discovery scored 12 goals last season for Sunshine Stars before he left for Turkey.

    He was courted by teams in South Africa, Cyprus and Israel before he decided to pitch his tent with Tavsanli Linyitspor.

  • Olorundare relishes first Eagles call-up

    Olorundare relishes first Eagles call-up

    Sunshine Stars of Akure forward,Dele Olorundare,says his invitation to the Super Eagles is the realisation of a childhood dream.

    Olorundare is one of the 24 domestic players called up by coach Stephen Keshi for the 2014 African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifying match against Cote d’Ivoire billed for July 6 in Kaduna.

    There have been several calls in the media for the inclusion of the Akure Arsenal’s hitman in Nigeria’s senior national team after the player took the league by storm this season by scoring 11 goals from less than 19 games.

    Olorundare told SportingLife of his delight at the invitation and resolve to make his call up count.

    “I thank God for making my childhood dream a reality. I have been looking forward to this day for a very long time and now that it has come I am extremely happy.

    “I can’t wait to join them in camp, show what I have and get one of the shirts for the game against Cote d’ Iviore and other ones.

    “I believe in God and hopefully things will work out well for me,” the striker stated.

  • Nigeria league star of the week: Dele Olorundare

    Nigeria league star of the week: Dele Olorundare

    Sunshine Stars striker Dele Olorundare is the MTNFootball.com star of the Nigeria league (NPFL) for Week 9 after his brace against Wikki.

    The former Jazzy Stars of Jos forward was considered ahead of Heartland front man Isah Akor, who also scored his sixth goal of the season, and Okiki Musampa, who scored twice for Nembe City to beat Gombe United 2-0.

    Olorundare told MTNFootball.com he wishes to score more goals this season.

    “My duty as a striker is to score goals, so when I score, I am excited. I thank God that I have been getting the goals this season. I am looking forward to more,” Olorundare told MTNFootball.com.

    The former Nasarawa United striker revealed he wants to set a new goals’ record in the league after Jude Aneke’s 20 goals two seasons ago.

    “I wish to score at least 25 goals. I am sure it is not beyond me, with God and my team mates supporting me, I will get there and can even go further,” he told MTNFootball.com.