Fenerbahce star, Emmanuel Emenike has told AfricanFootball.com he is prepared to stay
out of the Super Eagles if coach Stephen Keshi believed he is the problem of the team.
Keshi has been quoted as saying he is unhappy with the AFCON 2013 top scorer, who he
sensationally benched in last month’s AFCON qualifier against Congo in Calabar.
However, Emenike says he has utmost respect for Keshi.
“I have always treated Keshi like a father, and he has always lived in my heart to be a good
father. Before now, we have been enjoying a smooth relationship and I see no reason why
he should be holding grudges against me.”
“Keshi is a good coach, a coach with high pedigree. I give him all the respect I can give my
father whenever I come for a national assignment.
“Everything changed after the Nations Cup, everything about him towards me changed and
I decided to stay on my own,” he further revealed.
“But I am very surprised by what he said that he and some players in the Eagles are not
happy with me. Over what?
“I don’t want Nigerians to see me as being proud or arrogant, but if the coach thought
inviting me to his team will not bring result or peace to the team, he can let me be.
“I have maintained a solid relationship to avoid quarreling with him, but if my invitation to
play for Nigeria does not stand for peace, I will like to stay focused with my club,” Emenike
said.
He added: “I have always loved to give my best for Nigeria and I always make it known that
I can always fight to score goals for my country and I will not like coach Keshi to let
Nigerians see me as an indisciplined player who is not ready to give them my best again.
“My Super Eagles career is as important as my club career. Coming to play for Nigeria was
the biggest decision I have ever made in my life. And I appreciate the way the fans have
been striving hard to cheer me up whenever I push for goal.”
He stated that: “I have never seen the Super Eagles camp as my father’s house, it’s a
temporary place for everybody, and why should we be making problems for ourselves? he
asked.
“If Keshi thought inviting me is a problem to his selection or the team, I will prefer to stay
back and maintain my big respect for him”.
Source: Nigerian Tribune
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