Obafemi can’t fit into Super Eagles - Odegbami

15.05.2009

Obafemi MartinsNIGERIA soccer legend, Chief Segun Odegbami (MON) says the Super Eagles build-up is preventing Newcastle striker, Obafemi Martins from playing to his full potential when he lines up for Nigeria.

Martins' searing pace is one of his greatest assets, but Odegbami pointed out that a lack of supply is inhibiting the striker.
"Martins needs balls to be played behind the defence for him to take on defenders," Odegbami said.

"But because our build-up is so slow, he does not get the passes he needs and is usually forced to come back and fight for the ball."

Odegbami pointed to a player like former captain, Austin 'Jay jay' Okocha as one with whom Martins might have flourished. "If we had a midfielder like Okocha who has the creativity to open defences with a single pass, Martins would have been able to score more goals.

"Unfortunately, we don’t have that and Martins is unable to fit into the team." Odegbami, who won the African Nations Cup with Nigeria in 1980, offered a solution. "Maybe we need to see the coach convert players to different positions. Lionel Messi is left footed, but he plays on the right. Thierry Henry is right-footed, but he plays on the left. "Cristiano Ronaldo plays anywhere on the pitch. We need to be able to do the same thing with our players, to use them effectively.”