Aggrieved ball fan hits hard at Eagles players

An aggrieved Nigerian football disciple, who gave his name simply as B. IGBINOGHODUA, has written to register his annoyance with Obafemi Martins and many other Super Eagles players, whose absence and choice of matches in which to feature, also contributed to the ruining of the country's chances of making it to the World Cup next year in Germany.

' I am supporting the NFA chairman for his action against Obafemi Martins and his plan during the Nations Cup. To me it is high time we took our National assignments very serious.

Nations Cup is a mini-World Cup like the European Cup. If all Europeans respect their Championship, why not Africans? Though most African stars earn their living in European clubs, their performances with their respective national teams in winning laurels, go a long way to boost their career.

For example, Amokachi, Kanu, and their likes, became more respected Stars after their wonderful performances in the national team. The same goes for Victor Ikpeba when he was in AS Monaco.

He was given his due recognition by his Coach after helping Nigeria win Gold at Atlanta 96. Before then, he was always benched for T. Henry. He said it himself in one of the interviews he gave.

Look at the lotting of the World Cup (Germany 2006), the guests invited and those, who did the lotings. Who were they? Pele for example, is regarded as world legend today, not because of the clubs for which he played, but for his country.

For Roger Milla, one of the two African Stars there that night, was known because of his country he represented. I think most people of the world (like me ) did not know the club (s) he for which, he ever played.

But he his called Roger Milla of Cameroon; Pele of Brazil; Maradona of Argentina, etc. These people did not make money like the present- day Stars but, they made name and they are living with the name they made for themselves.

Why are we always after money in Nigeria? Look at Okocha, now he wanted to do things to impress his manager by abandoning Nigerian matches for his club, yet he is still relegated.

He has be dethroned from the seat of being the captain of Bolton Wanderers. If he had gone to help Nigeria seek the World Cup ticket, he would have been a hero at home.

He would not have bothered about the action of the Coach as he would use the World Cup to boost his career. I think he will be the first person to show up in Egypt because, he would want to prove his Coach wrong and use the opportunity to seek for a new club if his Mid East agenda fails.

I hope we will not receive another shock in Egypt,'the fan submitted.