Iroha wants Eagles’ call up for Martins

Taiwo Adelu

Former Nigerian international, Benedict Iroha, has urged the Chief Coach of the Super Eagles, Sunday Oliseh to give Seattle Sounders striker, Obafemi Martins a call up into the senior national team.

Martins continued his impressive goal-scoring form in the Major League Soccer (MLS) when he scored in Seattle Sounders’ 1-1 draw at Sporting Kansas City on Sunday.

Martins, who is fondly called ‘Obagoal’ and ‘Weapon of Mass Destruction’, scored the opening goal of the game at Kansas City in the 32nd minute.

“I think Obagoal still has a place in the Super Eagles. There is no doubt that the MLS is one of the top leagues in the world. I lived in the USA and I used to watch Martins on the field of play. Why did Oliseh invite Emmanuel Emenike and leave out Martins of the Cameroon and Congo friendly matches in Belgium next month?

“Obagoal has scored 14 goals this season. He is currently the leading goal scorer in Seattle. We shouldn’t rule out any player who is currently on form now just few months to the qualifiers of the World Cup and Nations Cup,” Iroha said.

The former Inter Milan of Italy forward’s 14 goals in the MLS this season are just three goals short of a club record he set last season.

He has scored seven goals in seven games since returning from injury on 16 August. After Sunday’s result, the club is 28-1-2 all-time when Martins scores. Martins has tied the club record with a goal in five consecutive league matches, joining Fredy Montero’s scoring stretch from 13 June – 11 July, 2009.

A quick, diminutive, and agile left-footed striker, Martins is primarily known for his outstanding pace, mobility, and athleticism as a footballer, as well as his striking power, and his strength, despite his small stature; he has also stood out for his acrobatic goal celebrations.