Obafemi Martins
Seattle Sounders forward, Obafemi Martins, will return to the Super Eagles after a two-year absence after he was called up by Nigeria coach Sunday Oliseh for the two-legged World Cup qualifier against Swaziland in Lobamba on November 13 and Port Harcourt four days later. Kelechi Iheanacho, who was not in the initial list released by the NFF, was added to the list by Oliseh later in the day.
Oliseh told The PUNCH exclusively on Thursday that Martins earned his call-up for the World Cup qualifiers.
The former Newcastle attacker’s inclusion has generated a lot debate. While many of fans called for his recall to the team, other Nigerians believe he wouldn’t fit into a team being built for the 2018 World Cup and beyond.“It’s up to him to show us (what he can do),” Oliseh said.
The 31-year-old was recalled to the Eagles, along with 22 others, following the retirement of Al Ain forward, Emmanuel Emenike, from the team. Martins last featured for the Eagles under former coach Stephen Keshi in 2013.
Martins, who has scored 16 goals in 21 appearances for Sounders in 2015, has scored 18 goals in 39 previous appearances for the Eagles.
Iheanacho’s inclusion increased the number of invited players to 24.
A recuperating Oliseh, placed on two weeks of bed rest by his doctors, could only watch the repeat broadcast of the Capital One game between Manchester City and Crystal Palace by Thursday afternoon to decide on handing the 2013 U-17 World Cup MVP a senior team call-up.
“I initially called up 23 players but I am adding Kelechi Iheanacho to the list immediately,” Oliseh told thenff.com.
“I have been following Kelechi’s progress at City.”
Iheanacho was named Man of the Match in the game where he scored a goal and provided two assists to aid his side’s progress in the competition.
Oliseh invited six home-based and 17 overseas-based players for the tie against the Sihlangu.
The home-based players invited for the qualifiers are goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa of Sunshine Stars, defenders Chima Akas of Sharks, Kalu Orji of Enyimba and Austin Oboroakpo of Abia Warriors, midfielder Paul Onobi of Sunshine and forward Ezekiel Bassey of Enyimba.
The overseas-based players are led by captain Ahmed Musa of CSKA Moscow and Mikel Obi of Chelsea.
The players will resume camping for the qualifiers on November 8.
Full List
Goalkeepers: Carl Ikeme (Wolverhampton Wanderers, England), Ikechukwu Ezenwa (Sunshine Stars), Dele Alampasu (Club de Sportivo Feirense, Portugal)
Defenders: Abdullahi Shehu (Uniao da Madeira, Portugal), Kalu Orji (Enyimba), Elderson Echiejile (AS Monaco, France), Chima Akas (Sharks), Leon Balogun (FSV Mainz, Germany), Godfrey Oboabona (Caykur Rizespor, Turkey), Efe Ambrose (Celtic, Scotland), Austin Oboroakpo (Abia Warriors)
Midfielders: Ogenyi Onazi (SS Lazio, Italy), Paul Onobi (Sunshine Stars), John Mikel Obi (Chelsea, England), Rabiu Ibrahim (AS Trencin, Slovakia), Wilfred Ndidi (KRC Genk, Belgium), Sylvester Igbonu (FC UFA, Russia)
Forwards: Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow, Russia), Moses Simon (KAA Gent, Belgium), Odion Ighalo (Watford FC, England), Ezekiel Bassey (Enyimba), Alex Iwobi (Arsenal, England), Obafemi Martins (Seattle Sounders, USA).
All Credits: PUNCH
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