Nations Cup black-out for Obafemi Martins
This is as a result of the fact that, Obafemi Martins' name is not one of those listed to report to the Portuguese pre-EGYPT 2006 Nations Cup, as released by the Nigeria Football Association in Abuja, earlier in the week. Of the list of 48 players, including home-based (16), the name of the petit, but power-packed goal monger's absence, may not be unconnected with his earlier request to be allowed to shuttle between Egypt and Italy during the continental soccer showcase. Reacting to Martins' request in our office yesterday, Gowon Akpodonor of The Guardian sport: "There is no way such a request could be granted. It is either he plays for his nation, or his club. He cannot serve two masters at a time...it had not happened, and will never happen. "A granting of his request would have be setting a precedence on which some other players would have capitalized. So, if Martins' name is out of the Super Eagles list of players preparatory to the Nations Cup, it is simply not there, and it ends there. The team can play with or without Obafemi Martins, or any other player, who feels that he is too important to be dispensed with. Players invited by the FA include: Austin Ejide, Greg Etafia, Vincent Enyeama, Rotimi Sunday,Chidi Odiah, Abbey George, Mikel Lamey, Obinna Nwaneri, Joseph Yobo, Ifeanyi Emeghara, Joseph Enakhire, Isaac Okoronkwo, Taiye Taiwo, Ifeanyi Udeze, kSeyi Olofinjana, Kazeem Ayila and Sanni Kaita. The 48-man team still has: Yakubu Aiyegbeni, Obinna Nsofor, Garba Lawal, Osaze Odewingwe, John Utaka, Austin Okocha, Chinedu Ogbuike,Wilson Oruma, Mikel Obi, Kanu Nwankwo, Christian Obodo, Robert Akaruye, John Owoeri, Obeifule Paul, Omonigho Temile and Isaac Promise. The list also included 16 home-based
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