Another PR for Martin

Where Eagles dare! Discuss Nigerian related football (soccer) topics here.

Moderators: Moderator Team, phpBB2 - Administrators

Post Reply
authority
Egg
Egg
Posts: 94
Joined: Mon Dec 29, 2003 2:19 pm
Another PR for Martin

Post by authority »

Why Obafemi Martins shuns Eagles
By George Ude
CONTRACTUAL obligations rather than personal whims might have influenced Inter Milan's forward, Obafemi Martins' decision to opt out of the Super Eagles' campaign at this month's Nations Cup in Tunisia.

A source very close to the Martins' family in Lagos told The Guardian in an exclusive interview that Obafemi had been caught in the web of either playing for club or country, owing to a subsisting contract he signed with the Italian Serie A side.

The source revealed that Obafemi signed a youth contract with Inter Milan and since he broke into the main team, his club authorities are yet to effect professional contract for the young Nigerian who had scored vital goals for the San Siro team both in the European Champions League and Italian Serie 'A' League.

Implications of this, continued our source, is that should Obafemi feature for the Super Eagles in the Nations Cup or any other assignment for that matter, and sustains injury, he could be eased out as there would be no legal contractual policy to fall back on and he will as well lose his place in the first team of the star-studded Inter Milan squad.

Our source appealed to the Nigeria Football Association (NFA) to assist Obafemi Martins towards ensuring that he signs a professional contract with Inter instead of crucifying him.

However, when confronted with this finding, NFA Secretary-General, Chief Taiwo Ogunjobi, maintained that NFA was never intimated of Martins' plight. "I was in Italy to consult Martins, we had useful discussions, but he never mentioned any controversy in the contract he signed with Inter Milan, so I am surprised to hear this matter," he said.

Ogunjobi assured that NFA will be willing to assist any Nigerian player abroad who has problem, especially where foreign agents attempt to exploit them, provided the affected player brought the matter before NFA. "Martins will not be an exception, we are still waiting for him to put his matter forward, but if it is a cover-up to evade national call, we shall also investigate it and let Nigerians know in due course", he stated.

It will be recalled that national U-23 coach, Musa Abdulahi had extended invitation to Obafemi Martins prior to the All Africa Games soccer event, but Martins never honoured the call.

And when Super Eagles Chief Coach, Christian Chukwu drew his 41-man team list for 2004 Nations Cup, Obafemi Martins name also featured, but the 18-year-old striker had since turned down the invitation.






© 2003 - 2004 @ Guardian Newspapers Limited (All Right Reserved).
Powered by dnetsystems.net dnet®
User avatar
Fourteen
Egg
Egg
Posts: 3609
Joined: Mon Dec 22, 2003 6:46 pm

Post by Fourteen »

Puleeeeze!! All this one na spin story. The guy did not want to play for us. Full stop and period. :evil:
Image
ruff'n'tuff
Egg
Egg
Posts: 1041
Joined: Sun Dec 28, 2003 4:05 pm
Location: Chicago Il.

Post by ruff'n'tuff »

Story story......story.
who no know go know.

Post Reply