Nigerian international, Obafemi Martins has asked new Super Eagles Coach, Sunday Oliseh to give him a chance to prove himself just as he has backed the coach to succeed.
The Nigerian striker, who was left out of the Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, qualifying match against Tanzania and international friendly game against Niger scheduled for early next month, only returned to action for Seattle Sounders last weekend after two months of injury laid off, netted a brace as his Major League Club crushed Orlando 4-0.
One of the goals was voted AT&T Goal of the Week – the third time that the former Newcastle and Inter Milan man has taken home the gong. He, however, boasted that his present form will bring goals for the new handler of Nigerian senior team if is given a call up.
“I hope I will soon get another chance to score goals for Nigeria again and I also believe that with time and a little more patience the Eagles will come back to their winning ways under the new coach, because Oliseh has got all the experience we need in a coach. He has played the game before and I am really happy to see him in the Eagles again, ” he said
On the 4 December, 2014 , local media in Africa and Italian sports papers misquoted Martins saying he had retire from international football.
However, the Nigerian star, who is popularly called Obagoal, has denied ever making such announcement of him willingly retiring from international football.
Martins last played for the Super Eagles in 2013 and since then he has not been looked at by the former Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi when he was in charge before he was sacked by his employer, Nigeria Football Federation.
The former Newcastle forward, who has 39 caps with 18 goals since he debuted for Nigeria, stated that he is still open to call up from the new Eagles’ head coach , Oliseh.
“I never announced my retirement, in any form or anyway. It was not official at all, I was unhappy to be treated as if I am not a Nigerian footballer. I have represented Nigeria at the Nations Cup, World Cup , and I still want to play more for my fatherland. We are having a new Eagles now led by Oliseh, why will I retire now? I am still very young, ” he said.
Obagoal made a scoring debut for Nigeria on May 29, 2004 against the Republic of Ireland.
On November 17, 2007, the attacker captained his country for the first time in a friendly against Australia that marked his 19th appearance.
His 83rd minute strike on November 12, 2009 in Nairobi ensured the Super Eagles qualified for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.
