Russia 2018: Adepoju wants Rohr to give Martins a chance

Former midfielder Mutiu Adepoju has called on Super Eagles’ Technical Adviser, Gernot Rohr, to open the door of his team for Nigerian striker Obafemi Martins.

The ex-international believes the Shanghai Shenhua striker has done enough to make his return to the Nigerian team ahead of the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

Martins, who joined Shenhua in 2016, has been in superb form recently as he helped Shenhua finish 11th in the Chinese Super League, scoring 13 goals in 21 appearances for the club.

33-year-old Martins, with 18 goals in 41 appearances, was part of Nigeria’s team to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, and last wore the national colours in 2015 in a match against Swaziland.

Adepoju said the Eagles could do with Martins’ experience and fitness to enhance competition in the attacking department of the team.

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“The coach can never be wrong with opening the door to all good players ahead of the World Cup. The World Cup is a competitive event and every coach wants to do well,” Adepoju told Punch.

“The Eagles did very well in the qualifiers for the World Cup but they struggled a bit in the attack and can do with the option and experience a player like Martins can bring to the team.

“He (Martins) has been doing well with his club and has been able to hold his own in a star-studded league as the Chinese League.

“A return for Martins or any other good striker the coach may find will not threaten [Odion] Ighalo’s place rather it will give the coach more options to work with and get the best for his team to the World Cup.” he stated.

The Super Eagles have been drawn in Group D alongside Argentina, Iceland and Croatia for the group stage of the global showpiece in Russia next summer.

 

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