Nigeria World Cup roster will not include Obafemi Martins

Obafemi Martins is having a great start to the 2014 MLS season. Oba is clearly a great player at this level. He is tied for the league lead with four assists and is tied for 9th with four goals. His passion for the club and the game can not be questioned. Somehow it isn't enough for Nigeria and coach Stephen Keshi. Today, they released their 30-man preliminary roster and it lacks Martins.

Other players who were on the outs, like Oba has been, are being brought back to the fold. Players that do not regularly play are getting the nod. Martins is not.

Whenever Martins is asked about playing for Nigeria he says something to the effect that the coach knows how to get in touch with him. Whatever passed between the old guard and Keshi/Nigeria it isn't over. And whatever passed is going to make Nigeria a tiny bit worse while keeping Oba from going to a second World Cup.

It is odd that this is all going on while Oba's demeanor with Seattle is getting praise.

Brad Evans on @ExtraTimeRadio: "Oba is a different player this year. He's hungry. He's in the gym. He's involved in the locker room."

— Joshua Mayers (@joshuamayers) May 5, 2014

Oba may just be in the club over country mood now.