 Obafemi Martins is yet to play for Nigeria |
Inter Milan's teenage striker Obafemi Martins has been called up by Nigeria for next weekend's Olympic qualifying match against Tunisia. Martins, 19, has consistently turned down Nigeria's invitations for international matches.
He declined to be in the Super Eagles squad that went to the Cup of Nations in Tunisia, claiming his club career was the priority.
"We know the pressure Martins is facing but we hope he and others will come to help us qualify for the Olympics," said Nigeria's Olympic team coach Kadiri Ikhana.
Nigeria, with 10 points, lead the group, with Tunisia in second place with nine points and Senegal in third with eight.
Egypt, the fourth team in the group, have no chance of qualifying.
A draw in the 27 March game in Tunis will be enough for Nigeria, who have drafted players from the senior team into the 30-man squad, to qualify for their third successive Olympic tournament.
Player invited include John Utaka, Osaze Odemwingie, Ifeanyi Udeze, Joseph Enakharire and Austin Ejide, all of whom played in the Nations Cup side that took bronze.
Nigeria made history as the first African side to become Olympic champions when they defeated Argentina at the 1996 tournament in Atlanta.
Selected overseas-based players
Ifeanyi Udeze (PAOK Salonica, Greece), John Utaka (Lens, France), Aniekan Enyeama (Auxerre, France), Joseph Enakharire (Standard Liege, Belgium), Kazeem Tijani (Chicago Lightning, USA), Yakubu Adamu (Schalke 04 Amateurs, Germany), Osaze Odemwingie (La Louviere, Belgium), Rabiu Baita (Mons, Belgium), Alfred Omoefe (Grasshoppers, Switzerland), Robert Akaruye (Egypt), Segun Abiodun (Al-Wahad, UAE), Emeka Opara (Tunisia-based), Ike Kalu (Pro Patria, Italy), Ola Daniel (Italy-based), Christian Obodo (Perugia, Italy), Ogochukwu Obiakor and Austin Ejide (both Etoile du Sahel, Tunisia).
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We hope he and others will come to help us 