Eagles clime doesn’t suit me anymore, says Emenike
Emmanuel Emenike (second left) was in the Super Eagles’ squad to the Brazil 2014 World Cup. PHOTO: AFP
Super Eagles Striker, Emmanuel Emenike, who on Monday night announced his retirement from the national team, has hinged his decision on the inclement environment now in the team.
Emenike called time on his five-year career with the Super Eagles through his Instagram page, where he said he was ‘No longer a Super Eagles player.”
Explaining his decision, the 28-year-old player said, “It has always been my pleasure to play and win for the team.
“I am always proud of my successful years in the team and I am pleased to call it off at this point in order to avoid insults.”
He also told BBC yesterday that quitting the Eagles was not an easy decision, adding, “I didn’t think my international career would come to a sudden end, but that is life.
“Sometimes it is better to remove yourself from an environment that doesn’t suit you mentally and physically, this is what I have done. “I also felt it was important that people hear directly from me to avoid a funny twist to the story.
“I wish to thank the coaches who gave me a chance, fellow players and in particular big thanks to all my fans for their unconditional support.”
Emenike’s action seems to have taken the decision out of Coach Sunday Oliseh’s hands, as Nigerian fans have constantly questioned why the Brazil 2014 star should continually feature for the Eagles when he is obviously out of form.
In his five-year spell with the Eagles, Emenike made 37 appearances for Nigeria, scoring nine times. But he has not scored any goal in two years, prompting heavy criticism of his continued selection.
Emenike made his Nigeria debut in February 2011 before playing an integral role in the team’s successful 2013 Africa Cup of Nations campaign, finishing joint-top scorer with four goals as his side secured the title. He last found the net for Nigeria in October of that year in the 2014 World Cup qualifier against Ethiopia.
Emenike has been in fine form for Al Ain, though, after joining the club from Turkey’s Fenerbahce in July. Replacing the prolific Asamoah Gyan, he scored twice on debut in the 4-2 Super Cup victory against Al Nasr. Since then, Emenike has taken his tally to five goals in six matches for the Garden City side.
Related
Latest
Get the latest news delivered straight to your inbox every day of the week. Stay informed with the Guardian’s leading coverage of Nigerian and world news, business, technology and sports.
10 Comments
More senior players would resign from the Super Eagles because Coach Oliseh is highly inexperienced and very vindictive.
Igbo man mind. If they are not there, other’s can’t have it attitude. I’m getting tired of some Igbo riffraff by day.
Satan Punish you daily, and hourly, and make sure you drink the urine of an Igbo man some day soon!
It is your folly and miserable family members that are “riffraff.” ANUOFIA!
Both Emenike and Enyeama have called time on playing for Nigeria via the social media, and obviously without intimating the NFF and their team manager of their intentions. In their briefs they thanked the nation and their “millions of fans” for their action.
Of course they had no contractual agreement with the NFF and it is their right to walk away if they so desire. But is that how well brought up people behave? Is this behaviour not disrespectful to the nation and the fans they profess to love? Is it not reckless arrogance, like a baby throwing his toys about, seeking for attention? Before the international community, these two men also portray Nigeria as a dysfunctional, gangster,nation where the citizens have no manners, and are not controlled by anybody, even when priviledged to wear the national colours. Why do our sportsmen readily wash every dirty country linen in the international public domain called Facebook, Twitter and Instagram?
This bush behaviour flies in the face of the basic tenets of sports – competition but fairness, decorum and passion, team spirit, and readiness to accept adversity and move on, and finally respect for opponents and colleagues.
They are not on the NFF’s pay role so they owe no-one any form explanation before leaving the team. If this the way you think about Nigeria, why don’t you play for Nigeria? Are you not a man?
Nigeria is bigger than one man. Playing for Nigeria is a thing of patriotism, and not a must!
You are showing how trained you are too. Do you care about their personal challenges n families? You are ignorant so stop insulting patriots
When Hausa/Fulani berated and crucified Jonathan for bringing the Igbos/Ibos to military limelight and granting the old dissident/rebel leader, Ojukwu a state burial, all Nigerians including shouted down the Hausa/Fulanis. But what is playing out in the eagles’ camp involving the Igbos/Ibos is condemnable. Can these people for God’s sake please the country first for once?
You a parochial fool with a small brain and diminished mind! What has the issue of the Igbo tribe to do with a footballer who acted the way and manner he pleased?
I am sure you hardly read to comprehend, else you shall have comprehended his reason or justification for his action. Again, you have neither heard from the NFF if Emenike had first intimated them before taking to social media to announce to his fans!
Your hate, biase and prejudice against the noble Igbos has ruined every elemental part of you unfortunately – so sad! Pity!
let them go! amunike left, okocha left, finidi left, amokachi left kanu left and a host of other better players have left super eagles and they are still winning laurels. do they expect the coach to leak their boot? nff should stick with oliseh. followership is also a virtue. the day players begin to tell the coach what to do , the team is dead.
We will review and take appropriate action.