I want to beat Rashidi Yekini record - Martins

Nigeria international, Obafemi Martins, has asked new Super Eagles coach, Sunday Oliseh, to give him a chance to prove himself. The Seattle Sounders striker, who recently returned to action for his American-based club with two goals in their 4-0 drubbing of Orlando after two months out due to injury, last played for the Super Eagles in March 2013 in a 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Kenya in Calabar.

One of the former Inter Milan and Newcastle United striker’s goals against Orlando was voted AT&T Goal of the Week – the third time the Nigerian would be claiming the award – but he told New Telegraph of his desire to once again put in the green and white of Nigeria and hopes his present form will earn him a call-up from Oliseh.

“I hope I will soon get another chance to score goals for Nigeria and I also believe that with time, and a little more patience, the Super Eagles will come back to winning ways under coach Oliseh, because he has got all the experience. He has played the game before and I am really happy to see him in the Eagles again,” he said. Martins has played 40 times and scored 18 goals for the Super Eagles since he made his international debut in a May 29, 2004 friendly against the Republic of Ireland in London.

But on December 4, 2014, media reports quoted Martins, albeit wrongly, as saying that he had retired from international football. He has since gone on to deny the reports and told New Telegraph: “I never announced my retirement, in any form or anyway, it was not official at all. “I was unhappy to be treated as if I am not a Nigerian footballer. I have represented Nigeria at the Africa Cup of Nations and the World Cup, and I still want to play more.

“We now have a new Super Eagles led by Oliseh, so why would I retire now, and at such a young age,” remarked the 30-year-old, whose brace in the Super Eagles’ 3-2 win over Kenya in Nairobi, back in November 14, 2009, ensured the team’s qualification for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Martins’ 18-goal haul for the Super Eagles makes him the national team’s fifth leading scorer of all-time behind Ikechukwu Uche (19), Yakubu Aiyegbeni (21), Segun Odegbami (22) and Rashidi Yekini (37).