The Toon striker was set for place in the Nigerian team as they played Switzerland, but he didn't even get into the country because of red tape.
The match was played in Zurich.
Nigeria Want Martins TWO WEEKS Early!
By Nu Mad Monday 19th November 2007
Newcastle United are facing the prospect of losing their African players for up to six weeks after Berti Vogts, the Nigeria coach, insisted that all members of his squad had to attend a 14-day training camp in January!
Premier League clubs are already concerned about the loss of players for the African Cup of Nations in Ghana, which starts on January 20 and ends on February 10, and they will be dismayed that Vogts wants players to report for international duty on January 4.
Why they play this competition in the winter is something that must be addressed in future years, because it robs clubs of their star players.
Vogts: "That is the way that things have to be and there will be no exceptions.
"There will be a two-week training camp and all the players will be there. They will not be allowed to arrive later.
"Maybe if the African Cup of Nations was played in the summer we would not have all these problems."