By Toby Prince
Nigeria striker, Emmanuel Emenike, on Monday announced his retirement from international football after five years of service.
The Fenerbahce striker on loan at UAE side Al Ain joins former skipper, Vincent Enyeama, on the retiree list – after making his decision not to play for the Super Eagles public via social media platform Instagram.
The 28-year-old, who was top scorer at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa, revealed that his reason for retiring abruptly was for “national peace”.
Emenike’s decision to quit the Eagles may not come as a surprise to many with coach Sunday Oliseh reportedly planning to drop him from next month’s World Cup qualifier against Swaziland after the striker failed to score in four matches under the new coach.
His last goal was in Ethiopia in October 2013 in a final 2014 World Cup play-off.
“No more Eagles career! After five great years, I am happy to announce that I have put full-stop to my national team career for the sake of national peace,” the striker wrote on Instagram.
“It’s a pleasure for me to have played for this great country. I never regretted it and I think it’s the best time to end it. Million thanks to all the fans who have been very supportive during the good and bad times.
“I am very proud of my performance, I am proud of my team mates and I am very proud of the nation called ‘Nigeria’. My AFCON gold medal is a sign of great achievement, my AFCON topscorer award speaks a lot about my commitment and dedication to the team,” he said.
Emenike’s sudden action may not be unconnected to the recent spat between Oliseh and Enyeama, with the latter being stripped of his captaincy.
The gaffer’s decision to install Ahmed Musa as captain in place of the Lille goalkeeper didn’t go down well among the senior players – with John Obi Mikel earlier turning down the opportunity to deputise for Musa.
“Super Eagles is a camp not a family house, and it shouldn’t be a threat zone for any individual,” he lamented.
“I have done according to our national anthem. All my dreams came true in the national team, I dreamt (sic) to win Nations Cup for Nigeria after 20-years, I dreamt (sic) to played at the World Cup as well as to make a name for myself… In the space of five years, I got them. I’m a winner!
“For every disappointing fans, maybe due to my inability to re-establish my goal scoring instinct for Super Eagles, I will like to say I’m sorry but the ones I had scored counted well for the team.
“As long as Nigeria remains, you and I will always remember the name ‘Emenike’. “Finally, I am happy to make a bow and continue supporting the team every time,” he concluded.
Emenike made his debut for Nigeria in a friendly against Sierra Leone in 2011 and went on to make 36 other appearances scoring nine times in the process.
