Major and tough changes have been made since new Super Eagles coach, Sunday Oliseh took over the team.
First choice goalkeeper and team captain, Vincent Enyeama was stripped of captainship and infamously quit international football after about 11 years of quality services. Few weeks later, Eagles striker, Emmanuel Emenike followed suit.
Last week, the eagles coach shocked everyone once more by recalling striker, Obafemi Martins who has being in blistering form for his American club, Seattle Sounders FC.
The striker who has been out of the Eagles team for about two years expressed shock at his recall while speaking to BBC Sports.
“It was a bit of a shock, but a nice shock. I’m very happy, because I have always worked hard, supported and respected all the players picked by the coaches.
I thank coach Oliseh for this great opportunity. I’m just looking forward to going out there and playing for Nigeria again.”
However, in an interview with Completesportnigeria.com, Oliseh disclosed that Obafemi Martins must earn his place in the starting line-up of the team. “Martins will offer us some other qualities in attack but first he must earn his place in the team.”
Oliseh also spoke about the home-based Eagles and expressed his delight with their qualification for next year’s African Nations Championship in Rwanda.
“I was so impressed with the team’s play in the first leg and though I was not with the team in the second leg, I was told they did brilliantly considering the hostility.”