Super Eagle flies the nest

Recent comments from Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi strongly indicate that Big Lad's international career for the Super Eagles is over before it even really started: "Shola showed a lot of experience when he played against Venezuela last year, but we've not been able to get him to return. His experience would have been valuable to this young team right now but I've realised he wants to be left alone for now. He has shown he is not prepared to play for us and we have to move on and give other players an opportunity to represent the country. We can only wish Shola all the best and concentrate on those we have in the present squad." What a shame to see the door closing on "a young kid ... getting better and better" - according to JFK, at least...

One of the potential beneficiaries of Big Lad's disappearance from the international frame (perhaps under pressure from his employers, you imagine) might be a certain Obafemi Martins, now plying his trade for the Seattle Sounders. The way things are looking, we'd be delighted to have the erratic but occasionally astoundingly brilliant marksman back in black and white...