Memory of the startling exploits unleashed by former Super Eagles’ striker, Obafemi Akinwunmi Martins (Obagol) during his days in the English Premier League have caused an uncanny moment of confusion that led to a commentator mistaking him for Southampton’s Nigerian-born striker, Michael Obafemi.
Megasportsarena.com gathered that, although the new kid on the block is several years younger than now retired Obagol, while still buzzing under the current spotlight with The Saints and Republic of Ireland, it appears that the past exploits of Martins with Newcastle United and Birmingham City are still fresh in mind.
Such it was that a usually credible match day pundit, Chris Kamara made a gaffe on the live coverage of Crystal Palace versus Southampton at Selhurst Park to watch, as he got confused in making the distinction between Michael Obafemi and Obafemi Martins, who played for Inter Milan of Italy before moving to Saint James’ Park, then returned to star with Birmingham.
Martins spent three years at Newcastle, during which time he was known for his drives at goal and acrobatic celebrations, which made him popular among The Magpies’ faithful, until he left unceremoniously to join Rubin Kazan of Russia, from where he was loaned to Birmingham, who he helped beat Arsenal in the FA Cup, before getting other stops at VfL Wolfsburg of Germany, Levante of Spain, Seattle Sounders of USA and Shanghai Shenhua of China.
The pundit was once again at the centre of embarrassment, as he watched The Saints take on The Eagles on Tuesday evening, and was describing the bright start Ralph Hasenhuttl’s men had made to the game when he made the howler, while trying to say how impressed he was with the new Obafemi’s performance in the fixture, which his team eventually won 2-0.
Kamara said: “In the first few minutes of this game it has been all Southampton, they are playing in the Crystal Palace half. Obafemi Martins is playing up front instead of Danny Ings… not Obafemi Martins, what is his name? Obafemi someone. Michael Obafemi, that’s who! Haha! I was close! I knew there was an Obafemi in there somewhere!”
A report by sportsmail added in part: “The studio and Kamara himself then burst into laughter for a good few seconds before presenter Jeff Stelling added: ‘Obafemi Martins is the same age as Tommo (Soccer Special pundit Phil Thompson) Kammy!’
“While Stelling’s comment may be exaggerated, Martins’ career is certainly coming to an end. The 35-year-old Nigerian represented Newcastle for three years between 2006 and 2009 and also played for Inter Milan and Birmingham City.
“Southampton’s Irish international Obafemi is at the start of his career having turned 19 in July last year. Obafemi was brought in by Southampton from Leyton Orient in 2018 and became the Saint’s youngest scorer in the Premier League when he scored against Huddersfield in December later that year.
“The striker, who made his Republic of Ireland debut in November 2018 in a 0-0 draw with Denmark in the UEFA Nations League, has scored two goals this season in 13 games.”
