AJILORE EYES PLAYMAKER ROLE

By Semiu Osho
March 24, 2010 01:31AM
Midtjylland's Ajilore Oluwafemi, foreground, fights for the ball with Lokomotiv Moscow's Peter Odemwingie during their UEFA Cup first round, second leg soccer match in Moscow

FC Groningen of Holland star, Femi Ajilore believes he can fill the void in the offensive midfield position of the Super Eagles as Nigeria hopes for an impressive outing at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Ajilore has endeared himself to his club's fans after churning out eye-catching displays playing behind the strikers. The former Midtylland of Denmark ace has enjoyed a brilliant form of late, orchestrating his side's triumphs with three goals in his last two Eredivisie league games.

After netting a brace in his side's 3-0 win at NAC Breda the previous weekend, the midfielder headed home the second minute winner that ensured another three points against Roda JC Kerkrade. He was particularly unlucky not to have made it two as he struck the woodwork with a rasping 20-yard effort after bursting through the midfield in the only real chance of the second period.

Delight
'I was happy to score again and it was even more special that it gave us the win. I was only sad not to have made it two goals because I had another chance that hit the post, so it could have been a brace as well. All the same, I'm happy with my performance and it's been very good for the team', an elated Ajilore told NEXTSports from Holland.

Ajilore who made his debut for the Eagles in the international friendly against Colombia in Cali in November 2008 is confident he can continue with such performance which he hopes could earn him a place in the country's squad to South Africa.

' We have some players who can also play the ( offensive) role in my club but the manager believe I can do the job. To have scored some vital goals playing from that position really makes me happy and I really feel comfortable doing it.

Feeling good
' I'm feeling good at the moment and I think some extra personal efforts after training sessions on my physical condition and my game has really been paying off and my coach was really impressed with my performance again on Sunday.

'I have played in that position for the Super Eagles, that was during the World Cup qualifier against Mozambique and I remember some good moments. Normally, you need to play more games to get used to it but our people want instant result because of our passion for the game.'

Ajilore also said he has heard positive comments about the new Eagles coach, Lars Lagerback after discussions with a couple of his club mates who play for Sweden.

'I don't really know him but I spoke about him with some of my colleagues who have played under him in the Sweden national team. We have a couple of them playing here and they said he (Lagerback) has been here to see them play. They told me he is a well-organised coach and that he is tactically good. So I hope he will bring that into the team to help the team make a good impact at the World Cup.'