Martins Turns Jerseys From Ex-clubs To Dining Room Furniture

People say footballers don’t care about the clubs they play for; that a little stint here and there means nothing to some of these mercenaries.

Well, not for the renowned house-proud player Obafemi Martins. And the former Newcastle striker is someone who should know his way around a fair few training grounds by now.

For the 28-year-old has had eight clubs since leaving his native Nigeria for pastures new: Reggiana, Inter Milan, Newcastle, Wolfsburg, Rubin Kazan, Birmingham, Levante and now American MLS outfit Seattle Sounders.

What has Martins done to commemorate his colourful career? Well, he has chosen to use shirts from his old clubs – and his country – to upholster his golden dining room chairs.

As the picture shows, Martins is proudly showing off his kit to any visitors to his household – what a novel idea.

Massive idea!!!....

Martins, Oduamadi return, Yobo dropped from squad to face Kenya

Surprises in Stephen Keshi's squad to face the Harambee Stars later this month in Calabar

Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi announced his squad of 15 Europe-based players that will take on Kenya in a 2014 World Cup qualifier on March 23 in Calabar.

The coach omitted captain Joseph Yobo from the list but recalled Obafemi Martins and Nnamdi Oduamdi to the side while giving first time call ups to Academica de Coimbra's John Ogu and Babatunde Michael of Kryvbas Kryvyi Rih in Ukraine.

Keshi recalled 11 of the players that he took to the Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa. Goalkeepers Vincent Enyeama and Austin Ejide return to the side as well as defenders Efe Ambrose, Elderson Echiejile and Kenneth Omeruo.

In midfield John Obi Mikel, Fegor Ogude and Ogenyi Onazi are recalled. However, there's no place for Nosa Igiebor who failed to impress at the Afcon. They are joined by Ogu who plays in Portugal.

Strikers Ahmed Musa, Victor Moses and Brown Ideye return but Emmanuel Emenike is still out injured.

They will join up with the already announced squad of players from the Nigeria Premier League in their Abuja camp.

NAME                           CLUB

Goalkeepers

Vincent Enyeama        Maccabi Tel Aviv, Israel

Austin Ejide                  Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Israel

Defenders    

Efe Ambrose               Celtic FC, Scotland

Elderson Echiejile       FC Braga, Portugal

Kenneth Omeruo         ADO Den Haag, The Netherlands

Midfielders 

John Mikel Obi           Chelsea FC, England

Ogenyi Onazi              SS Lazio, Italy

Fegor Ogude              Valerenga FC, Norway

John Ogu                     Academica de Coimbra, Portugal

Forwards

Ahmed Musa              CSKA Moscow, Russia

Brown Ideye                 Dynamo Kyiv, Ukraine

Victor Moses               Chelsea FC, England

Babatunde Michael     Kryvbas Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine

Nnamdi Oduamadi     A.S Varese 1910 FC, Italy

Obafemi Martins         Levante FC, Spain

Obafemi returns to Eagles

Levante striker Obafemi Martins has been recalled to the Super Eagles squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Kenya in Calabar after missing the continental showpiece in South Africa last month while Nigeria's captain to the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations Joseph Yobo is the biggest omission Yobo lost his place in central defence to the young Kenneth Omeruo in South Africa after starting the first game, but it was still a surprise when his name was not one of the 15 overseas-based players coach Stephen Keshi invited for the Kenya game.

Martins was however a shock omission from the AFCON squad but he has been in fine form for Spanish side Levante, where he is the leading scorer this season, and he will be keen to make amends for missing the South Africa triumph.

 Maccabi Tel-Aviv goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama tops the list as 11 of those called were in the squad that lifted the Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa last month.

There is a surprise call for Ukraine-based Babatunde Michael, who played for the Dream Team at the inaugural CAF U-23 Championship in Morocco 15 months ago.

Varese of Italy Winger Nnamdi Oduamadi, who also shone brightly for the last U-23 squad in their qualifying games, is also included. But the biggest dark horse is Academia of Portugal midfielder John Ogu.

African champions Nigeria take on Kenya’s Harambee Stars in one of the Day 3 matches of Group F of the 2014 FIFA World Cup race. Nigeria lead the group on four points while Kenya bring up the rear with only one.

They clash at the U.J. Esuene Stadium, Calabar on Saturday, 23rd March.