MARTINS: To be or not to be as per ANC

Enugu II · Post by **Enugu II** » Mon Dec 29, 2003 2:00 am

Obafemi sneaks into Lagos
By Peter Demeyin
UNKNOWN to many Nigerians, Inter Milan's rave of the moment, Obafemi Martins, is at present holidaying in the country, and has expressed serious doubts about his participation in next year's Nations Cup to be hosted in Tunis.

Christened "Obagol" for his predatory instints for goals, Martins was cornered at one of the outlets of the popular eatery, Mr. Biggs in Lagos last Wednesday evening as he drove in a dark green convertible Mercedes Benz, accompanied by his elder brother Ladipo Olurotimi Martins, and two other ladies.

Pressed for his views on next year's Nations Cup in Tunis, Martins was initially evasive, but later stated his position.

"I don't think I would be able to play in the Nations Cup, because of club commitment. You know I have just been promoted to the first team and I haven't established my position in the team yet. So I don't think I would be available for the Nations Cup," he affirmed.

He confirmed that he actually met with the scribe of the soccer house, Taiwo Ogunjobi in Italy, concerning his participation at the biennial championship.

"it is not that I don't want to play for my country, but if I feature in the Nations Cup, my position at club level would be jeorpadised and I don't want to risk my future," he added.

The striker debunked insinuation that he has been playing hide and seek game with the soccer house, because he plans to adopt Italian citizenship with the intention to play for the Azziris.

He explained he has never nursed such an ambition. "At the appropriate time, I will play for Nigeria, but not now," he quipped.

Martins attracted the attention of the soccer house last season as he became an instent hit with Inter Milan, scoring three goals in the European championship league, and though he was invited several time to the National team, he his always rebuffed all the entreaties. It was widely reported that he would play at the All African Games held in Abak in October, but as usual the strike who presently had four goals in the serie A refused to show up.

Ijapa · Post by **Ijapa** » Mon Dec 29, 2003 2:05 am

Enugu II,
Dis guy sef - make u begin dey post URL

GUEST · Post by **GUEST** » Mon Dec 29, 2003 2:13 am

This young man should be left alone.

Sir V · Post by **Sir V** » Mon Dec 29, 2003 2:17 am

This story get as e be! But obafemi is feeling reluctant to play for Chukwu.

txj · Post by **txj** » Mon Dec 29, 2003 2:22 am

I have always taken the position that Nigeria should take the long view with Martins, discuss with the man and arrive at a decision which meets everybody's interests.
But an invitation was sent out to him, and the NFA was reportedly said to have spoken with him and reached an agreement with he and his club. That being the case, he has no right to pick and choose when to answer the call.
I believe we should now simply move on, and whenever he deems himself ready, the decision should be made there and then if he is needed. And this is on the assumption the above story is correct.

Robbynice · Post by **Robbynice** » Mon Dec 29, 2003 2:29 am

txj wrote:I have always taken the position that Nigeria should take the long view with Martins, discuss with the man and arrive at a decision which meets everybody's interests.
But an invitation was sent out to him, and the NFA was reportedly said to have spoken with him and reached an agreement with he and his club. That being the case, he has no right to pick and choose when to answer the call.
I believe we should now simply move on, and whenever he deems himself ready, the decision should be made there and then if he is needed. And this is on the assumption the above story is correct.

How many times dem wan meet with am discuss? Personally I just think the press is cooking up stories as usual. You know Nigeria's preparation for the ANC would not be complete without stories such as this. I believe Martins is going to be in Tunisia because the NFA has meet with him and an agreement has been reached.

mystic · Post by **mystic** » Mon Dec 29, 2003 3:41 am

Robby:

Like you I'm viewing this report with skepticism. Even the title sef dey misleading.

geminikoat · Post by **geminikoat** » Mon Dec 29, 2003 5:10 pm

"Once beaten twice shy." I say not to be. We're already used to life without him so we wont miss him.

AreaDaddy · Post by **AreaDaddy** » Mon Dec 29, 2003 9:24 pm

It is easy to dismiss this as a possible fabrication but the matter has come up too many times to dismiss it that easily.

I not even sure it is as simple as not wanting to play for Chukwu as the Nigerian set up from long been beset by organisational and managment problems.

I think he needs to come clean on this issue, and if he does want to we must just cut our losses and move on.

Its a Goal · Post by **Its a Goal** » Mon Dec 29, 2003 10:31 pm

Martins is making himself available for the Italian National team. I say goodbye to bad ridiance. I am confident that one day he will look back in sorrow. the day he passed on the opportunity to play for his fatherland, and this is not a curse.

RudeBoy · Post by **RudeBoy** » Mon Dec 29, 2003 11:26 pm

If this is true then he is a big time wally!

Larry Ashagbe · Post by **Larry Ashagbe** » Tue Dec 30, 2003 1:01 am

Sir V,

This is nothing to do with not wanting to play for CCC or any coach.

Martins is just putting his career first.

Ugbowo · Post by **Ugbowo** » Tue Dec 30, 2003 1:17 am

F@$k him!!!!!!!