Keshi warns Martins

Obafemi Martins’ Africa Nations Cup hopes may end up as a dream if he doesn’t step up his game, Super Eagles chief coach Stephen Keshi has told him.

The Levante striker Martins made a long-awaited return to the national team on Thursday in the Super Eagles 3-1 win over Venezuela in an AFCON warm-up in Miami, Florida, USA but the tactician wasn’t impressed with his form and charged him to improve as he did not see his full potentials in the match.

The below par Martins and was replaced on the hour by his former Newcastle teammate Shola Ameobi, who was making his debut for Nigeria.

“He needs to step up his game because I know he can do better than he did because he has the potentials but I did not see much of him,” said Keshi after the game.

‘Obagoal’ shone in training in the USA, but had at least two chances to make hay against Venezuela so as to stake a strong claim for a place in the Eagles squad to next year’s Nations Cup in South Africa. 

Keshi praise for Ameobi

The Chief Coach of the Super Eagles has showered glowing tributes to the sterling performance of Shola Ameobi who made his debut for Nigeria in an international friendly against Venezuela in Miami, Florida Wednesday night.

The Newcastle forward who came on as a second half substitute was a handful for the opponents’ defence as he was kicked repeatedly because of his tenacity, which later paid off at stoppage time, when he held unto the ball, warded off a challenge in the Venezuelan vital area before finding Ogayi Onazi who coolly slotted home Nigerians third on the night.

An ecstatic Keshi said that the towering forward impressed him and can only improve.

“I am totally happy with Shola Ameobi. He showed good spirits and composure all through his stay on the pitch and I know that he will improve as he gets to play more games for us. He was a true professional on the night.”

Ideye happy to break goal-duck

One of the two Super Eagles players who scored their first senior goals for Nigeria, Brown Ideye is very excited ending his goal drought as the team hit Venezuela 3-1 in Miami, Florida Wednesday night in an international friendly match.

‘I am so happy to finally score for my country. It’s no doubt a morale booster for me, having waited this long to register myself in the heart of Nigerians. Grateful for the pass from my team mates to.”

The Dinamo Kiev of Ukraine forward opened Nigeria’s floodgate in the 49th minute with a side-footed touch off a low cross from the right by debutant Solomon Kwambe after some good work by Nosa Igiebor.

“I will cherish this moment for a long time because it’s always special scoring your firs. I really waited for this to happen and now that it has, I can only get better with my positioning and accuracy which are most important for goal scoring.” Ideye added.

Ameobi dreams Nations Cup

New Eagles invitee, Shola Ameobi could be on the flight to next year’s AFCON on the back of a good outing against Venezuela on Wednesday.

Ameobi will be making his debut for the Eagles, while Martins is set for his 38th appearance.

The 31-year-old Ameobi has opted to feature for his country of birth after he represented England at U21 level.

The Newcastle United striker said it is a great honour to wear the Nigeria green and white shirt.

"This is the first opportunity to do something that I've always wanted to do. It's a great honour and I don't take it lightly,” said the Zaria-born striker.

 

"You'd be a fool if you didn't want to play at the very highest level and certainly I'm no fool. I want to play at the top as every other player does - that's what drives me and that's why I'm still here wanting to play in the Premier League.

"I want to do the best I can, I don't just want to be a local hero, I want to be an international one. That's what has driven the decision."

Chelsea boss backs Mikel over Clatten-bust

Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck says his club had no choice but to pursue a claim of racial abuse after he three times reportedly asked the players involved "if they might have heard 'Mikel' instead of 'monkey'" from referee Mark Clattenburg.

Buck told the London Evening Standard that Chelsea was obliged to report to the Football Association once that was denied. The players involved are believed to be black midfielders John Obi Mikel and Ramires.

Buck says "the reaction has been very unfair" as "I felt we had the moral high ground," adding if the club had done nothing then "if that had leaked out, we would've really been crucified."

Buck says Chelsea they are not being "hypocritical" despite backing captain John Terry when he served a ban for racially abusing an opponent.