The slim chances - if ever any existed - of 2010 Afcon bronze medalist Obafemi Martins making the 2018 Fifa World Cup squad for Nigeria are all but over as he is reportedly injured and out for no less than 7 months.
His Chinese Super League club Shanghai Shenhua announced that the speedster will be out of action long term due to a torn hamstring.
Martins, 33, was taken off early with the injury during Shanghai Shenhua’s clash against Kashima Antlers in the Asian Champions League on Tuesday.
The former Inter Milan striker was carried off midway through the first half of the match which ended 2-2 and Shenhua announced on their official website on Wednesday that he is out long-term.
Martins had scored a hat-trick for Shanghai on Saturday in their 4-2 CSL win over Hebei China Fortune which fuelled rumours of (what would have been) a shock recall to the Super Eagles set up.
As it stands, unimpressive Odion Ighalo will have to contend with the likes of Iheanacho, Aaron Samuel, Olanrewaju Kayode, Brown Ideye and perhaps Ahmed Musa for the top striker's position ahead of World Cup.