MICHAEL OBAFEMI IS in the best run of form of his still-embryonic career, netting twice in Swansea’s 4-0 hammering of Welsh rivals Cardiff City on Saturday.
The victory secured a remarkable slice of history: this was the first league double secured by either side in the fixture’s 110-year history. Obafemi scored the first and fourth goals of the rout, the latter his sixth goal in six games.
“It’s an incredible feeling. In the build up we talked about making history and the mood in the camp all week was amazing. We knew we could do it”, said the 21-year-old. “I was happy to score two goals and, for me, I felt this was the biggest game of my career.
“The fans were amazing, we know what the game means to them, and I wanted to show them what sort of player I am, and I hope I did that. We have written our names into the history books and it is a fantastic feeling that we just want to soak up.”
Though he hasn’t been capped for Ireland since Martin O’Neill gave him his senior debut against Denmark in the Nations League in November 2018 – and hasn’t yet featured in a squad under Stephen Kenny – Obafemi was under consideration for the recent friendlies with Belgium and Lithuania. He didn’t link up, however, citing concern over his hamstrings. Fifa’s new rules do technically allow Obafemi to play for Nigeria if he wants, but there’s no suggestion that is in the work and Kenny doesn’t doubt his commitment to Ireland.
Though fit at the moment, Obafemi’s years at Southampton were dogged with persistent hamstring issues, with this season the first in his career in which he has finally been able to string games together.
He only once completed more than 85 minutes in a game for Southampton, but has started 11 of Swansea’s last 12 games and gone beyond the 85-minute mark in six of them.
“I put it down to finding a level of consistency in his daily approach and his willingness to accept criticism and be honest with me and his team-mates,” said manger Russell Martin of Obafemi’s form. “Most of all, he’s dropped his guard and is being himself.
“He’s just worked really hard, good attitude and the rest comes. He’s showing glimpses of his potential and hopefully he’ll become a really big player for us. It wasn’t easy for him to come in and settle but for him to be doing what he’s doing is nice to see. I’m really proud of him because he’s come a long way on and off the pitch and he needs to continue growing like the rest of the young guys do with us.”
Can anyone fill me on on the Ireland craic with Obafemi? Was there a falling out? Is he holding out for a bigger country or something? Used to follow Ireland religiously, not so much in the last 3 or so years.
@Daniel Bohan: he wasn’t included in an early Kenny squad, might have been Kennys first squad, and he sent out an Instagram that pretty much said his not being selected “was a joke”. He deleted it quickly but it was widely seen. His manager at Southampton said at the time that “he needed to work on his professionalism. If that’s the reason for him not being selected in subsequent squads we don’t know, but I’m sure it played a part. Kenny did want to call him up for the two recent friendlies but Obafemi refused citing concerns for his” hamstrings “.
@Gerry McCaughey: your use of quotation marks suggests that he used his hamstrings as an excuse not to join up with Irealnd. The manager told media this was the issue, not Obafemi. Irish fans need to get off his guys back. I see the same kind of stuff written about Parrot here sometimes too. 20\21 years of age. Little more than apprentices. Stars for Ireland in the future.
@Daniel Bohan: complained on Twitter when not selected and most recently refused a u21 call up for a massive game saying he’s a senior player. Mark McGuiness who had an interview recently said he’s honoured to play for the u21′s, that’s the attitude you want to see, not players throwing a strop in public.
@Phil McCabe: get off his back? He gives out publically when not selected then refuses a call up to the u21′s for what was a massive game. He’s a childish fo0l, don’t care if he can score, we want pros who know what it means to wear any Irish jersey not just the senior one.
@Gerry McCaughey: He was called of for poor professionalism at Swansea earlier on to..hopefully he keeps up his brillant form for Swansea and is in Irelands future squads
@Phil McCabe: the quotation marks were used for what they were intended for. To quote the words of the player. You took it to mean that I didn’t believe him. Why is that? You have doubts yourself?
@Kieran Fogarty: hopefully. He is the type of player we don’t often produce. An out and out speedster who is now adding goals to his game. Hopefully he keeps his head down and keeps working.