The Nation Newspaper

Tag: MARTINS

  • Sounders FC unveil Martins

    Sounders FC unveil Martins

    • Says, I’m happy I’m here

    • Storms Nigeria Monday

    • Club sure of Martins goals

     

    There was no hiding the excitement for Super Eagles returnee, Obafemi Martins after been unveiled by Sounders FC moments after arriving in Seattle, United States of Ameria on Friday (American time).

    The 28-year-old forward and the newest addition to the Sounders FC roster talked about his eagerness to meet his new teammates, to see a packed CenturyLink Field and to play with his new club. Most obvious in indicating the sincerity of that enthusiasm was the megawatt smile that never left his face while he met with media at SeaTac Airport just minutes after he landed on a flight from London.

    “I’m happy I’m here,” he beamed. “Chris Henderson came over to Valencia in Spain and tried as hard as possible to bring me here. Now I’m glad I’m here and I can’t wait to see my teammates.”

    He won’t have to wait long to see them in action, as head coach Sigi Schmid said it is possible that Martins will be included in the 18 when the Sounders take on the Portland Timbers as part of MLS Rivalry Week on Saturday at 5 pm (early hours of Sunday (today)) at CenturyLink Field in a nationally televised match.

    Over the course of the six-month courtship of Martins, he has seen several Sounders matches while he was playing with Levante in Spain’s La Liga, but seeing them in person with a crowd of over 40,000 on hand drew Martins to fly to Seattle for the match knowing that he would be flying to Nigeria after the match to join the Nigerian National Team for a World Cup qualifying match next week against Kenya.

    Such is his conviction to bring excitement to the fans and help Seattle to the top of Major League Soccer.

    “I’ve been watching the games and they’re crazy about football. They love the game. I want to really see how it’s going to be tomorrow,” said Martins, who said he expects to play against Portland. “I’m ready to play. That’s why I’m here.”

    After playing at the top levels in Italy with Inter Milan, England with Newcastle United, Germany with Wolfsburg, Russia with Rubin Kazan and Spain with Levante, he is now ready to conquer another challenge in the US. It wasn’t a decision that came without some soul-searching, though.

    “I wasn’t sure yet if I was going to come,” he said. “All of a sudden I just decided to myself, ‘Why not? Let me try and come a different league.’ So that’s why I’m here.”

    However, owner of MLS club Seattle Sounders Adrian Hanauer has predicted Obafemi Martins will make a huge impact in the USA.

    “We are thrilled to welcome Obafemi to our family,” said Hanauer.

    “Winning trophies continues to be the focus of our club. Martins is an impact player who we hope will help us reach the ultimate goal.”

    Nigeria striker Martins has signed for Seattle Sounders, the club announced on Friday, but by league and club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

    Martins joins Seattle after a short stint at Spanish La Liga side Levante, where he scored nine goals in 24 appearances across all competitions.

    Martins will occupy Seattle’s third and final Designated Player slot.

     

     

  • ‘Martins will play against Valencia’

    ‘Martins will play against Valencia’

    Juan Ignacio Martinez has confirmed that Obafemi Martins is still in contention to play for Levante this weekend in the derby against Valencia, despite the transfer saga involving the Nigerian striker.

    Martins has held preliminary talks with MLS outfit Seattle Sounders over a proposed N606m (€3m) transfer that he has looked to push through with some public sentiments.

    However, the club hasindicated that they will only negotiate at his buyout clause level and Martinez has confirmed that he is still in contention to feature in the Valencian derby at the weekend.

    “Oba has trained normally, we have spoken and for now he is a Levante player and if he still is then I would like all my options available to me at Mestalla, the Levante manager said, at a joint Press conference held with Valencia counterpart Ernesto Valverde.

  • Ameobi, Martins top list

    Ameobi, Martins top list

    Nigeria head coach, Stephen Keshi is likely to invite the duo of Newcastle United forward, Shola Ameobi and Levante striker, Obafemi Martins for the Super Eagles’ next tie against the Harambee Stars of Kenya in Calabar on March 23

    He declared that he will explore the option of calling up players outside of the squad that won the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa last month.

    The Super Eagles are billed to play their first competitive game later this month against Kenya’s Harambee Stars in a 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying since becoming African champions.

    But the Big Boss, as Keshi is also called, would rather keep to his chest the names of the players he intends to hand recalls to the team.

    “I won’t rule out bringing in players that were not with us in South Africa for the Nations Cup. Like I’ve always said the national team’s door isn’t closed to players who are in top shape and form with their clubs.

    “Right now we will need all of our best players who are ready to play for the country for our next game (against Kenya). As for the names of players I’ll invite for our next game you’ll have to wait,” said Keshi.

    But sources close to the Nigerian manager revealed to supersport.com that the duo of Newcastle United forward, Shola Ameobi and Levante striker, Obafemi Martins, could be considered for recalls after missing the AFCON.

    Keshi also stated that he is not giving up on injured Spartak Moscow forward, Emmanuel Emenike ahead of the clash with Kenya.

    “Currently I can’t say much about his health as he is not with us now though I hear he’s out for several weeks. But we are not totally ruling him out of the game, and we will get the true picture of things as it concerns him in a matter of days,” said Keshi.

    Nigeria’s Super Eagles will play hosts to their Kenyan counterparts, the Harambee Stars in Calabar on March 23.

    The African champions lead Group F of the 2014 FIFA World Cup on four points ahead of Namibia, Malawi and Kenya.

  • Lawal seeks Martins’ return to Eagles

    Lawal seeks Martins’ return to Eagles

    GARBA Lawal, a former international and a member of the Nigeria Football Federation technical committee, has called for the return of Levante striker Obafemi Martins to the Super Eagles set-up.

    Lawal made the plea for the in-form Spain based striker while speaking on a Lagos based sports radio station Brilla Fm as he argued that the goal scoring record of the former Rubin Kazan man is enough to earn him a second chance in the national team.

    “I think he deserves another chance with the national team, I watched his Europa League game match against Olympiakos where he scored a goal and it shows again that he will be a good addition to the team, Garbal Lawal posited.“Well you can say continuity is needed for the team that went to the Nations Cup but additions like Martins will only make the team better.”

    Indeed after being sensationally dropped from the Nations Cup squad, Martins has been in top form for Levante scoring great goals that has earned him praise from his coach and teammates alike.

  • Mikel key, Martins will be missed

    Former Nigeria star Tijani Babangida has tipped Chelsea midfielder Mikel Obi to be key to Nigeria’s quest for a third AFCON title.

    The ex-Ajax Amsterdam winger told MTNFootball.com that Mikel’s displays for Chelsea as well as his performances in the Eagles have shown that he will play a pivotal role in the Eagles in South Africa.

    He also spoke generally about Stephen Keshi’s team at the 2013 AFCON.

    What can you say about the exclusion of Martins, Osaze and Taiwo from the AFCON?

    Keshi knows better because he gave these players a chance to prove themselves, so, if he makes any decision now as regards them, it could only be best for the team. But all the same I still believe Obafemi Martins ought to be in the team because he has scored almost every weekend in Spain.

    I am also surprised that keshi never gave Michael Enaramo a chance because he has also been scoring often for his Turkish club. Nigeria have not been fair to Eneramo.

    Who do you think should be in the team among the three major omissions?

    Martins. His experience would be missed in South Africa. Even though we are looking for younger players, his current form shows he needs to be there. Don’t forget at the France 1998 World Cup the late Rashidi Yekini was included due to his experience so that if things didn’t go well with Victor (Ikpeba) and co in the strike force, we could easily call up his experience.

    Who are the other players who ought to be in South Africa, but are not?

    Sani Kaita. His presence is needed in the team’s midfield. He is born to fight and win battles in the midfield.

    Will the home-based players not struggle at the AFCON as the league has ended since September?

    Not really. I am sure Keshi knows those ones who are capable of playing for him and playing those friendlies will make them ready for the big one in South Africa.

    Which is Mikel’s best position in the Eagles?

    The position he has been playing in Chelsea.

    Who among the players do you think will lift Eagles when the chips are down in South Africa?

    Mikel of course! With his current form and what he achieved last season as well as his recent performances for Eagles, it is very clear he is our class act.

    What was in the 1994 and 1996 team that you think the current Eagles need to have to be world beaters?

    The 1994 Eagles were a generation of stars with high level of dedication. That was what the 1996 Olympic team followed. If the current set of players could also manage this, the Eagles will fly again.

  • LATE ARRIVAL SIDELINES MARTINS

    LATE ARRIVAL SIDELINES MARTINS

    OBAFEMI Martins watched from the sidelines when Levante welcome Bilbao to Valencia for this first game of the New Year.

    The Nigerian striker arrived Spain only hours before the encounter, having spent the first six days of the pre-resumption training sorting out tax matters in Nigeria.

    “It is the first home game of the year, much was at stake,” stated Levante stalwart Sergio Ballesteros. “We want to reach 30 points. We want to start the year with a victory at home, improving on the points tally we managed in the first round of fixtures from last season.”

    Martins was left out of the squad for this game, despite the fact that Levante gave him a list of to-do things in private training, while waiting to rejoin the squad.

  • No Eagles recall for Martins

    No Eagles recall for Martins

    OBAFEMI MARTINS will not get a late recall to the Eagles contrary to speculations in the media. “(coach) Stephen Keshi has made it clear that he will not call up any new player as he has enough players to choose from for the Nations Cup,” disclosed Eagles spokesman Ben Alaiya from the team’s training camp in Faro in Portugal.

    Levante striker martins was one of the top stars left out by Nigeria for a training camp in Portugal ahead of the forthcoming Nations Cup in South Africa. England-based defender Danny Shittu has opted out of the squad and there are still doubts over the availability of Newcastle United Shola Ameobi.

    “There is no word from Ameobi yet on whether he will be part of our Nations Cup preparations. Keshi said he cannot force the player to play for the country and so he is still waiting to hear from Ameobi on his position and then we will take it from there,” said Alaiya.

    There are now a total of 20 players in Faro – nine overseas-based pros and 11 from the Nigeria Premier League. Turkey-based striker Uche Kalu was the last arrival. US-based striker Bright Dike has been terrific in training as battle for places at the AFCON have stepped up a gear, according to officials. The Eagles will fly out to Spain on Tuesday for a friendly against Catalonia the following day with either Chigozie Agbim or Daniel Akpeyi started in goal as none of the team’s foreign-based goalkeepers are in Portugal.

  • Martins celebrates Xmas with orphans, mothers

    Martins celebrates Xmas with orphans, mothers

    Levante striker Obafemi Martins will spend the Christmas with visits to hospitals and orphanages in Lagos. ‘Obagoal’ will on behalf of his foundation give away gifts to three hospitals and orphanages.

    A representative of the player told MTNFootball.com: “Martins will stage a charity event for new mothers and their babies. He will hand out donations and also pay the bills for the mothers who can’t afford to do so.”

    Meanwhile, Levante fans are thrilled Martins will stay back at the Spanish club after he was not called up by Nigeria for the Nations Cup in South Africa.

    The fans are delighted the 28-year-old striker will not miss any of the games in their La Liga campaign come the New Year.

    Martins has been integral part of Levante after he scored six goals in 13 League matches with the club now sixth on the table.

  • Eagles will miss Martins at AFCON – Babangida

    Eagles will miss Martins at AFCON – Babangida

    Former Nigeria World Cup star Tijjani Babangida has stated the country will miss the goals and experience of Obafemi Martins at the African Cup of Nations.

    Martins, Osaze Odemwingie and Taye Taiwo were the notable names omitted from the Eagles preliminary 32-man squad for a training camp in Portugal ahead of next month’s Nations Cup.

    The Atlanta 1996 Olympic gold medallist told MTNFootball.com that even though Stephen Keshi is in charge of the team and has the final say on his team, he still believes the Levante striker should have been considered for the continent’s premier soccer tournament.

    “Obafemi Martins should have been included in the team because he has been scoring goals in Spain almost every weekend.

    “Though Keshi should be allowed to pick his team, Martins’ experience and goals would have helped the team in South Africa.

    “At the 1998 World Cup in France, the late Rashidi Yekini was included in the team because of his wealth of experience if things didn’t go well with Victor (Ikpeba) and the others,” MTNFootball.com quoted the ex-Ajax Amsterdam star as saying in the interview.

    Babangida also made a case for the inclusion of Sivasspor of Turkey striker Michael Eneramo on the provisional squad.

    “I was equally surprised Eneramo was not considered at all since Keshi took over despite his exploits in Turkey,” he told MTNFootball.com.

     

  • Martins gets Eagles’ second chance

    Martins gets Eagles’ second chance

    Top officials have revealed striker Obafemi Martins has played his way back into the Eagles with his goals in the Spanish La Liga.

    Martins, who played his first Eagles game under coach Stephen Keshi in last month’s friendly against Venezuela, was widely speculated to have missed out on the AFCON on the back of an indifferent showing against Venezuela.

    “We know he didn’t have the best of outings against Venezuela, but since after that game he has proved that he still has that killer instinct in front of goal with goals for Levante. He is therefore very much part of Keshi’s plans for the AFCON,” a top team official informed MTNFootball.com.

    At the weekend, ‘Obagoal’ strengthened his claim for a place on the Eagles squad when he netted his sixth goal for Levante. He has also provided six assists as his club climb up the standings.

    This is a sharp departure from a few months ago when Martins’ first-team appearances for Russian club Rubin Kazan were limited due to loss of form and injuries. However, the top team official maintained no player, whether based at home or abroad, is guaranteed an automatic shirt to next year’s Nations Cup.

    “For the records, no player whether at home or abroad is guaranteed a shirt. They must prove themselves as we begin camping next week,” he warned.