Out of favour Super Eagles midfielder Joel Obi continue his push for a recall to the senior national team of Nigeria with yet again another goal for Torino in their 7-1 thrashing of Trapani in the Coppa Italia.
Obi who found the back of the net in the final two games of Torino’s pre season ties scored the 5th goal for Torino in the rout, before picking up an assist in the convincing win.
Injury and fitness issues have in the past cost him big both for Nigeria and with his various clubsides particularly at Inter-Milan where he failed to make the grade despite his rapid rise from the youth team to the first team.
Last season the 26 years old made 20 Serie A appearances for Torino, the highest he has managed since 2012 when he made 27 appearances for Inter-Milan.
He has continued with that same form this season as the injury demons now look like a thing of the past for the defensive midfielder who is eager to return to the national team set up of Nigeria.
His last game for Nigeria was in 2014 during preparations for the World Cup in Brazil. He came in for Nosa Igiebor in the 54th minute of the game which ended 2-2 at Fulham home ground Craven Cottage.
However with his new found form it won’t take long before he get noticed by coach of the Super Eagles Gernot Rohr who has been looking for more players with experience in the midfield particularly after the 0-2 loss against South Africa, which many attributed to the absence of experienced captain John Obi Mikel.
Osas Mahawi
