Fenerbahce striker Emmanuel Emenike says he is ready to be dropped from the Super Eagles if coach Stephen Keshi believes he is the problem of the team, africanfootball.comreports.
Reports have claimed that Keshi benched Emenike in the 3-2 defeat to Congo in Nigeria’s 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Calabar on September 6 because he was unhappy with the South Africa 2013 AFCON Golden Boot winner’s performances in previous games for the national team.
However, the 27-year-old former Spartak Moscow player insists he has always done his best to try and help the team.
“I have always treated Keshi like a father, and he has always lived in my heart to be a good father,”africanfootball.com quoted Emenike as saying on Wednesday.
“Before now, we have enjoyed a smooth relationship and I see no reason why he should be holding a grudge against me.
“Keshi is 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.
“Before the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations, I could remember he called me to have a chat and I was ready to give him my best.
“My performance at the competition was inspired by Keshi. He showed me love, he put me through and I have always respected his decisions. I never thought that I am bigger than any coach.”
Africanfootball.com reports that the player said he was surprised to read comments credited to Keshi that some players were not happy with him.
“Everything changed after the Africa Cup of Nations. Everything about him towards me changed and I decided to stay on my own,” he said.
“But I am very surprised by what he said that he and some players are not happy with me. Over what?
“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 with my club.”
Emenike 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 Keshi to let Nigerians see me as an undisciplined player who is not ready to give them my best again.
“My 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 whenever I push for goal.
“I have never seen the Super Eagles as my father’s house. It’s a temporary place for everybody. Why should we be making problems for ourselves?
“As a matter of fact, I have no grudge with anybody in the team. I see everybody as my friend, I tried not to distinguish myself from any other player, as far as we have come to serve our country, we are equal.”
