Post by Taxigirl on Jan 5, 2006 9:21:58 GMT
www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/jan4l.html
Obafemi Martins admits he is disappointed to be leaving Inter for a month to play in the African Cup of Nations.
“It’s a shame that I have to go away for four weeks, but I know that there are great strikers like Adriano, Alvaro Recoba and Julio Cruz who can fill in for me,” said the Nigerian youngster on Sky Italia.
Martins and his fellow countrymen will be challenging for the trophy in Egypt from January 20 to the Final on February 10.
It’s a particularly important year for them, as the ‘Super Eagles’ surprisingly failed to qualify for the 2006 World Cup.
“Playing for my country is very important for me and when I return I will have to train hard to be ready for Coach Roberto Mancini,” he added.
Martins will be available for Sunday’s Serie A match with Siena, but will miss ties against Cagliari, Treviso, Palermo, Lecce and high-flying Chievo as Inter continue their pursuit of leaders Juventus.
“We are not thinking about the eight-point gap at the top of the table. We just want to win as many games as possible and then see where we end up.”
The 21-year-old has recently renewed his contract with the Nerazzurri until 2010 and could be reunited with fellow Nigerian Victor Nsofor Obinna, who is set to join from Chievo during the January transfer window.
“I am very happy with the extension to my deal, as I have a real desire to stay at Inter and win with this jersey. As for Obinna, the only advice I can give him is to train with a relaxed state of mind, but he’ll have to work even harder than me if he wants to play!”
Another player on his way to the African Cup of Nations is Marco Andre Kpolo Zoro. Messina announced today that they have fined the defender for failing to attend training, as he has already flown out to be with the Ivory Coast squad.
Obafemi Martins admits he is disappointed to be leaving Inter for a month to play in the African Cup of Nations.
“It’s a shame that I have to go away for four weeks, but I know that there are great strikers like Adriano, Alvaro Recoba and Julio Cruz who can fill in for me,” said the Nigerian youngster on Sky Italia.
Martins and his fellow countrymen will be challenging for the trophy in Egypt from January 20 to the Final on February 10.
It’s a particularly important year for them, as the ‘Super Eagles’ surprisingly failed to qualify for the 2006 World Cup.
“Playing for my country is very important for me and when I return I will have to train hard to be ready for Coach Roberto Mancini,” he added.
Martins will be available for Sunday’s Serie A match with Siena, but will miss ties against Cagliari, Treviso, Palermo, Lecce and high-flying Chievo as Inter continue their pursuit of leaders Juventus.
“We are not thinking about the eight-point gap at the top of the table. We just want to win as many games as possible and then see where we end up.”
The 21-year-old has recently renewed his contract with the Nerazzurri until 2010 and could be reunited with fellow Nigerian Victor Nsofor Obinna, who is set to join from Chievo during the January transfer window.
“I am very happy with the extension to my deal, as I have a real desire to stay at Inter and win with this jersey. As for Obinna, the only advice I can give him is to train with a relaxed state of mind, but he’ll have to work even harder than me if he wants to play!”
Another player on his way to the African Cup of Nations is Marco Andre Kpolo Zoro. Messina announced today that they have fined the defender for failing to attend training, as he has already flown out to be with the Ivory Coast squad.