Daily Independent Online.
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Wednesday, June 30, 2004.
Martins okay for Algeria
Striker Obafemi
Martins will play in Saturday's World Cup qualifier against Algeria after
recovering from a knee injury.
"I'm fit again
and will play against Algeria," said Martins.
The 19-year-old
Inter Milan player twisted his knee in Nigeria's 2006 World Cup and Cup of
Nations qualifying victory over Rwanda in Abuja earlier this month.
Super Eagles coach
Christian Chukwu confirmed the availability of the teenage prodigy, who has
scored three goals in just two games for Nigeria.
"He's going to
be fit," Chukwu told BBC Sport on Tuesday.
"He is
reporting to camp this afternoon."
The Nigerian coach
is also awaiting the arrival of nearly half his 22-man squad as he prepares for
the meeting with the Cup of Nations quarter-finalists.
"I have about
twelve players, and the rest are coming this evening," he said.
The training camp
opened on Sunday but the team could not train until Tuesday as only a small
number of players had turned up in Abuja.
However, captain
Jay-Jay Okocha, who said he missed Nigeria's 1-0 defeat against Angola because
he wanted a rest after a long season, is in Abuja.
Yet there are
concerns about the extent of the leg injury Julius Aghahowa is carrying.
"Aghahowa is
coming to camp, and I will have a look at his fitness when he arrives,"
Chukwu said.
Angola lead Group 4
of the qualifying series with four points from two matches while Nigeria are
second on three.
Rwanda, Gabon and
Zimbabwe make up the group.
