Inter Milan sensation Obafemi Martins has never played for the Super Eagles

Nigerian forward Obafemi Martins has withdrawn from the Super Eagles squad for the forthcoming Nations Cup finals in Tunisia.

The Inter Milan striker says he has taken the decision so that he can concentrate on his career in Italy.

"Going to the Nations Cup will be injurious to my club career, so I won't go to the training camp and will not play in the tournament," Martins told reporters at his Lagos home where he is currently on holiday.

The 19-year-old striker was among 41 players Nigeria invited to a pre-Nations Cup training camp in the Portuguese resort of Faro.

Yet the players who are already in the camp must now prepare without the pacy Martins in their ranks.

This is not the first time the Inter Milan forward, who has never played for the Super Eagles, has spurned overtures from the Nigeria Football Association (NFA) to represent his country.

In October, Martins withdrew at the last minute from playing in the football tournament of the All Africa Games while he has also declined invitations to take part in any of Nigeria's 2004 Olympic Games qualifiers.

"We can't force any player to wear the country's colours, so we'll abide by his decision," said NFA secretary-general Taiwo Ogunjobi.

Martins has been in impressive form for Inter Milan this season, scoring four times in his eleven appearances.

The striker was one of five African players recently shortlisted by the Confederation of African Football for their 2003 Caf Player of the Year award.