Martins, Ejide fight for Eagles captaincy

Obafemi Martins and goalkeeper Austin Ejide will be considered to         lead Nigeria against Venezuela on Wednesday, according to officials.

Both skipper Joseph Yobo and his assistant Vincent Enyeama are not available for this game, while Chelsea midfielder Mikel Obi opted out of this friendly which will serve as a warm-up to the Eagles 2013 Africa Cup of Nations campaign.

Martins

The Eagles spokesman Ben Alaiya told MTNFootball.com from Miami, USA, that either Martins or Ejide will be given the responsibility to lead the team out against La Vinotinto, as the Venezuela team are known by their fans.

“The captain and his assistant as well as Mikel are not here, so the captain’s arm band will be given to Obafemi Martins or Austin Ejide considering their experience with the team,” Alaiya said.

“That decision is yet to be taken, but I can tell you it will be between these players.”

Levante striker Martins is staging a return to the team after a long absence, while Israel-based Ejide has been part of the national team setup since 2001.

This will be the second clash between Nigeria and Venezuela at full international level after both countries first met in a pre-2002 World Cup warm-up for the Eagles.

The Eagles won that game in London courtesy of an Austin “Jay Jay’ Okocha goal.