--
Super Eagles goals machine, Emmanuel Emenike boasts Nigeria will be in Brazil 2014
It’s two goals in two straight matches; one against Malawi in Calabar and another against Burkina Faso in Kaduna. Is that a sign of good things to come?
Yeah, it feels great to return to the team once again after a long absence. Playing for Nigeria has always been my biggest motivation and missing out of the team selections after AFCON was so painful. I really thank God for coming back. The injury was a setback for me but I am happy to have scored against Malawi. We needed to win that match to be sure of our place in the final group. It was a tough game but we did what we needed to do and it feels great to have won.
Scoring against Burkina Faso in Kaduna brought back the good old memories of AFCON where you scored Nigeria’s opener, as many will put it; Emenike scored what he missed in the AFCON finals.
(Smiles) You can say that again. It was a wonderful experience in South Africa but it hurt me to miss the final match. I am happy I was not missed by the team as my colleagues did a good job in my absence. I am also happy I scored against Burkina Faso again here in Kaduna, but in all honesty there was nothing attached to it, I just had to score that goal and that is what is expected of a striker. I hope I can keep doing that in the Nigerian colours.
The green and white flag failed to fly at the Confederations Cup. Was there anything you could have brought into the team then considering the dearth of strikers at Stephen Keshi’s disposal?
Well, I really missed the Confederations Cup but I could not help it, the injury kept me away from it. I watched most of the games and I think my colleagues tried their best. It was just unfortunate that we lost to Uruguay because that was the game that would have guaranteed our progress in the competition. The team played a lot of matches before the Confederations Cup and they travelled round the world during that period. You cannot rule out fatigue too. I wouldn’t have done anything special, had I participated. Moses too was missed but it was a great lesson for us as a team. I am optimistic we will return to Brazil next year by the grace of God.
Talking about Nigerian colours, how important is it for Emenike to see Nigeria qualify for Brazil 2014?
Of course that is the highest peak for every footballer. Playing at the World Cup has it’s special feelings, as a player, that makes you fulfilled in your career. I have watched Nigeria feature severally at the World Cup but 1994 was our biggest performance, so I am looking forward to Super Eagles making it there again in 2014. I want to play in Brazil 2014 to pay back for missing Confederations Cup. I know Nigeria is blessed with the right players that can make things happen. Right after we won our last group match against Malawi, we resolved in our mind to remain focused and be ready to play against any team in Africa. Some were very sure Nigeria would be playing either Ethiopia or Burkina Faso so I told them we know these teams and we have beaten them before. Ethiopia was our last group game in the AFCON; they are not a bad side but we still have the edge. We won’t take any of our opponents for granted because there are no minnows in African football. I am confident Nigeria will pick a ticket to Brazil by the special grace of God.
Super Eagles will be playing it’s final World Cup qualifiers in October, as close as this is; will Emenike be ready to lead Ethiopia to the slaughter house?
I am always willing and prepared to give my best against any team. Nigeria is blessed with talents and the kind of family bond that exists in this team now is one major factor why Nigeria will scale through that hurdle and pick one of the five tickets to Brazil. The coach is determined to keep the players in top shape and I believe most of my colleagues share this same dream of going to the World Cup. Only few of us have played at that highest level before, so it won’t be difficult to give ourselves the much needed lift to play our best games.
Super Eagles major cause for worry remains player’s response to away matches. You see players pulling out at the last minute. Do you think Keshi need not lose sleep over having a full house come October?
Honestly, the determination in the team has gone beyond what it used to be in the past. As you can see; we had a full house against Burkina Faso in Kaduna despite the fact that we all had important games back in our clubs. The players now put the country first and that should be commended by Nigerians. Talking about our final qualifier in October; Nigerians need not fear because we have all agreed to show up and give our best. We are all aware that our first game would be away from home and that getting a good result in the first-leg will be to our advantage. We want to wrap it up in the first-leg so that the return leg in Calabar can be a mere formality. The only way to achieve that is to have a full house and I pray this happens.
Most of your fans were shocked to see you return to Fenerbache. What really inspired this move?
Honestly, money was not a factor. Fenerbache has always been my club and even when I went to Russia I always believed I would return to the club one day. Fenerbache is one of the best clubs in Turkey with it’s strong fan base. I believe in the club and it was a dream come true to return there.
Most of your fans felt you should have waited for CAS decision before signing, knowing fully well that Fenerbache and Besiktas were at the risk of missing out of Europe?
Yeah, I was aware of what was on ground. I have a passion for Fenerbache and I was not even bothered that they could be missing out of Europe. We had hoped for a positive decision from CAS but we had no choice when CAS ruled against both clubs. Like I did say before, that was not going to determine my move to Turkey; Fenerbache has been my home and I am happy to be back there.
You seem to be close to Joseph Yobo, did he play a role in your return?
Yeah, Yobo is my big boss, you know. He was instrumental to my playing for the national team alongside Samson Siasia. I am grateful to him for his role. It feels great to join him again in Turkey. It will be a nice reunion for both of us because Yobo is a great guy.
Finally, Nigerians should expect the best from Super Eagles. I am happy to be back in the team. Let Nigerians continue to support the team and we will deliver Brazil World Cup ticket by the special grace of God. We have no excuse and the players are focused and ready to see that dream comes true. It will serve as our Independence anniversary gift.
Thank you for speaking to Complete Sports Saturday.
It’s my pleasure, always.
It’s two goals in two straight matches; one against Malawi in Calabar and another against Burkina Faso in Kaduna. Is that a sign of good things to come?
Yeah, it feels great to return to the team once again after a long absence. Playing for Nigeria has always been my biggest motivation and missing out of the team selections after AFCON was so painful. I really thank God for coming back. The injury was a setback for me but I am happy to have scored against Malawi. We needed to win that match to be sure of our place in the final group. It was a tough game but we did what we needed to do and it feels great to have won.
Scoring against Burkina Faso in Kaduna brought back the good old memories of AFCON where you scored Nigeria’s opener, as many will put it; Emenike scored what he missed in the AFCON finals.
(Smiles) You can say that again. It was a wonderful experience in South Africa but it hurt me to miss the final match. I am happy I was not missed by the team as my colleagues did a good job in my absence. I am also happy I scored against Burkina Faso again here in Kaduna, but in all honesty there was nothing attached to it, I just had to score that goal and that is what is expected of a striker. I hope I can keep doing that in the Nigerian colours.
The green and white flag failed to fly at the Confederations Cup. Was there anything you could have brought into the team then considering the dearth of strikers at Stephen Keshi’s disposal?
Well, I really missed the Confederations Cup but I could not help it, the injury kept me away from it. I watched most of the games and I think my colleagues tried their best. It was just unfortunate that we lost to Uruguay because that was the game that would have guaranteed our progress in the competition. The team played a lot of matches before the Confederations Cup and they travelled round the world during that period. You cannot rule out fatigue too. I wouldn’t have done anything special, had I participated. Moses too was missed but it was a great lesson for us as a team. I am optimistic we will return to Brazil next year by the grace of God.
Talking about Nigerian colours, how important is it for Emenike to see Nigeria qualify for Brazil 2014?
Of course that is the highest peak for every footballer. Playing at the World Cup has it’s special feelings, as a player, that makes you fulfilled in your career. I have watched Nigeria feature severally at the World Cup but 1994 was our biggest performance, so I am looking forward to Super Eagles making it there again in 2014. I want to play in Brazil 2014 to pay back for missing Confederations Cup. I know Nigeria is blessed with the right players that can make things happen. Right after we won our last group match against Malawi, we resolved in our mind to remain focused and be ready to play against any team in Africa. Some were very sure Nigeria would be playing either Ethiopia or Burkina Faso so I told them we know these teams and we have beaten them before. Ethiopia was our last group game in the AFCON; they are not a bad side but we still have the edge. We won’t take any of our opponents for granted because there are no minnows in African football. I am confident Nigeria will pick a ticket to Brazil by the special grace of God.
Super Eagles will be playing it’s final World Cup qualifiers in October, as close as this is; will Emenike be ready to lead Ethiopia to the slaughter house?
I am always willing and prepared to give my best against any team. Nigeria is blessed with talents and the kind of family bond that exists in this team now is one major factor why Nigeria will scale through that hurdle and pick one of the five tickets to Brazil. The coach is determined to keep the players in top shape and I believe most of my colleagues share this same dream of going to the World Cup. Only few of us have played at that highest level before, so it won’t be difficult to give ourselves the much needed lift to play our best games.
Super Eagles major cause for worry remains player’s response to away matches. You see players pulling out at the last minute. Do you think Keshi need not lose sleep over having a full house come October?
Honestly, the determination in the team has gone beyond what it used to be in the past. As you can see; we had a full house against Burkina Faso in Kaduna despite the fact that we all had important games back in our clubs. The players now put the country first and that should be commended by Nigerians. Talking about our final qualifier in October; Nigerians need not fear because we have all agreed to show up and give our best. We are all aware that our first game would be away from home and that getting a good result in the first-leg will be to our advantage. We want to wrap it up in the first-leg so that the return leg in Calabar can be a mere formality. The only way to achieve that is to have a full house and I pray this happens.
Most of your fans were shocked to see you return to Fenerbache. What really inspired this move?
Honestly, money was not a factor. Fenerbache has always been my club and even when I went to Russia I always believed I would return to the club one day. Fenerbache is one of the best clubs in Turkey with it’s strong fan base. I believe in the club and it was a dream come true to return there.
Most of your fans felt you should have waited for CAS decision before signing, knowing fully well that Fenerbache and Besiktas were at the risk of missing out of Europe?
Yeah, I was aware of what was on ground. I have a passion for Fenerbache and I was not even bothered that they could be missing out of Europe. We had hoped for a positive decision from CAS but we had no choice when CAS ruled against both clubs. Like I did say before, that was not going to determine my move to Turkey; Fenerbache has been my home and I am happy to be back there.
You seem to be close to Joseph Yobo, did he play a role in your return?
Yeah, Yobo is my big boss, you know. He was instrumental to my playing for the national team alongside Samson Siasia. I am grateful to him for his role. It feels great to join him again in Turkey. It will be a nice reunion for both of us because Yobo is a great guy.
Finally, Nigerians should expect the best from Super Eagles. I am happy to be back in the team. Let Nigerians continue to support the team and we will deliver Brazil World Cup ticket by the special grace of God. We have no excuse and the players are focused and ready to see that dream comes true. It will serve as our Independence anniversary gift.
Thank you for speaking to Complete Sports Saturday.
It’s my pleasure, always.
Source: Complete Sports
No comments:
Post a Comment