Nigerian International Obafemi Martins who plays forward for Seattle Sounders FC was recently interviewed by FIFA.
He went on to reveal to the footballing body how he made it to international football having started on the streets of Nigeria.
According to Martins, “I started out just playing for fun, with my friends. I was spotted by a man named Churchill Oliseh, the older brother of Nigeria captain Sunday Oliseh. I played in his team and he was a good man. He helped me out with food and support, because it wasn’t a professional situation at that time. And before I could blink, he told me I could go to Italy for trials. It seemed unreal.”
The 29-year-old former Newcastle United striker also expressed his disappointment at not being called up by the Nigeria National team for the 2015 AFCON Qualifiers. Although claiming to be in good form, he promised to step up his game and win the heart of coach Keshi.
“I’m here and I’m Nigerian, so we’ll see if I get picked. I have no control over it. Every coach has his favourites. All I can say is that I’m playing good football in Seattle and I’m happy doing it. If I’m in the Nigeria team, great, and if I’m not, I wish them all the best. I always want Nigeria to do well,” He said.