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Soccer News of Monday, 1 August 2011

Source: Ifeanyi Ibeh

Okoronkwo lets out Ghana battle cry

Solomon Okoronkwo has joined in the battle cry ahead of next week’s international friendly against Ghana, declaring that come what may, the Super Eagles must subdue the Ghana Black Stars to prove their supremacy over their West African neighbours.

The game comes up on Tuesday, August 9 at Vicarage Road, home ground of English league outfit Watford and Okoronkwo feels it will be a great opportunity for the Super Eagles to avenge the heavy 4-1 defeat inflicted on them by the Ghanaians back in 2007.

“On paper our match against the Black Stars is a friendly, but on the pitch a lot more is at stake. “We have to beat them to regain our pride after the 4-1 defeat they handed to us in 2007,” said the Norway-based player former junior international.

He added: “I was not a part of the team back in 2007, but I was still heartbroken by the result as it was such an easy victory for them. Now we have an opportunity to remedy that and thank God I will be in that team. I am sure we will beat them.

Okoronkwo recently moved to Aalesund in Norway after spending a few seasons in the Russian top flight with Saturn Moscow because he wanted to move closer to central Europe where his performances would be recognised and noticed by Nigerians.

And it appears his decision to leave Russia has already yielded dividends with his recent call up to the national side.

“ When I was in Russia I did very well too but unfortunately maybe because Russia is very far away from home, our press and many Nigerians did not recognise my exploits,” he continued.

“That is why it felt as if I had slipped out of the limelight. That is also the reason why I decided to move to Norway, which is just a stepping stone to greater moves for me in the near future.

The one-time Hertha Berlin of Germany starlet then added: “Since joining Aalesund, I have been in good form. We are in the Europa Cup and I scored in one of our qualifiers recently to prove my readiness for the challenges ahead. Nigerians should watch out for me, I am back for good.”