The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Emenike

  • Emenike blasts ARGENTINA

    Emenike blasts ARGENTINA

    AFRICANFOOTBALL.COM:
    How ready are you
    for the big challenge of the World Cup?

    EMENIKE: I am very ready for the World Cup. I am physically and mentally ready but the fans should be patriotic enough in any situation. Every player here is ready to give their best to see that we keep the flag flying. We will so much appreciate the fans to count on us.

    Obviously, you will be Nigeria’s top marksman in Brazil and so you will be  a marked man

    I will like to keep my plans to myself. I know what to expect, I know the battle ahead of me and the team, but I am banking on team effort, that’s the only way to succeed. Like I keep saying, once the team do well and succeed, individual glory will come.

    Any personal targets for Brazil 2014?

    At a tournament like World Cup, there is always set goal for every team, those that reach the quarter-final, will hope for semi-final, those who have reached the semis before want to reach the final. We just need to be proactive and be ready to fight and I believe we will achieve the impossible in Brazil.

    Your regular partner at AFCON 2013 was Brown Ideye, but he won’t be in Brazil, who will be your preferred strike partner in Brazil?

    I am just one of the 23 players in this squad. I am ready to partner anyone upfront, it’s all about giving our best and understanding. I don’t expect all my goal attempts to turn goals, and don’t expect my partner to score from all my passes. But I appreciate urgency, that’s what we need in front of goal.

    Super Eagles drew two and lost one of their World Cup warm-up games. Were those games a true reflection of what this team is all about?

    Losing to USA should not be the yardstick to measure the team. The Americans were mobile and energetic against us, but we hope to do better as players and as a team in Brazil. We shouldn’t be written off because we lost a game.

    What can you say about the opening game against Iran?

    I don’t want to be too boastful because it’s Iran. They are here at the World Cup because they are a good team. I won’t write them off. We will be at our best to start on a winning note. Looking down on them won’t be good for us.

    Iran have nothing to lose against us, we must be up and doing because there are great expectation. I am not promising anything for now, it’s too early but we need to fight.

    As an ambassador of two major corporate brands, are you under extra pressure to perform at the World Cup?

    I’m not under pressure being an ambassador to score goals, but my legs should speak better for me.

    How does it feel that you will play at the World Cup?

    Playing in World Cup is a dream come true. I sacrificed a lot and worked hard work to get to this stage. I started dreaming of playing in World Cup as a kid following USA 1994, and here I am today fulfilling my dream. I believe so much in hard work as the key to success. I have a formula now – focus plus hard work is equal to success.

    My wish for Eagles is beyond personal glory and the fans should be patient.

    Some predict the Eagles will beat Iran and Bosnia to qualify to the next stage, do you share the same view?

    That’s patriotic talk and I like that, but our own is that we want to fight hard on the pitch and win, this is football, Bosnia can beat Argentina in their opening game too.

    What I know is that our first match against Iran is very crucial. Right now, I am thinking about Iran, not Bosnia or Argentina.This World Cup is going to be interesting and full of surprises. There are so many wounded lions going to Brazil.

    A lot has already been said about the Nigeria vs Argentina game. Lionel Messi and Sergio Aguero have said they bring down the Eagles (cuts in)

    They should wait till we meet. The Argentines are too boastful and disrespectful. As a professional, you should always respect your opponents irrespective of their qualities. They think they can beat us because they have individual players? But football is beyond that stage now. As I said earlier, I will think of them after Iran and Bosnia. Messi is an exceptional player, but football is a team game.

    Millions of fans are relying on you (cuts in)

    No, that is wrong. I appreciate the fans for their love. I am not the Messiah in Eagles, I am here to contribute my quota to the team. If I am opportuned to score, I will, and if it is any of my teammates, I will celebrate because what matters is the result and not goal scorers. So, I need them and they need me to make the team great. I will not bow to any opponent until the final whistle.

    Have you ever being to Brazil?

    No, I have not being to Brazil, but this first one will be a memorable and successful visit.

  • Emenike declares I won’t target personal glory

    Emenike declares I won’t target personal glory

    Nigeria striker Emmanuel Emenike has told AfricanFootball.com he will not be chasing personal glory, but would rather fight for the team to succeed at the World Cup in Brazil.

    The Fenerbache star was top scorer at last year’s Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa and his goals were equally crucial as Nigeria qualified for a fifth World Cup in November.

    The front man, like several of the country’s top stars, will be on the shop window at the 2014 World Cup.

    But Emenike,who has fired 10 goals for Nigeria,has maintained the team will come before him in Brazil.

    “Everybody here in the team is ready to fight with the right attitude for the country,” Emenike said.

    “The Super Eagles is not all about me, it is about all the players because I can’t lift the team alone, it must be a collective effort. This is not a matter of individuals.

    “I am, therefore, not thinking of what I will achieve as an individual in Brazil, but what the Super Eagles will achieve.We are going to Brazil to represent our fatherland and help  our career beyond where it is now.”

    The powerfully-built striker added: “For me, every game will be taken as the final, which is a must-win. We need a positive mindset to approach our opponents and with that,we can rule the world.

    “We just need to be proactive and handle the pressure. We will conquer if we did all those things.”

    Nigeria are drawn in Group F along with Argentina, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Iran. They open their campaign on June 16 against Iran.

  • Spurs, Everton chase Emenike

    Spurs, Everton chase Emenike

    Tottenham and Everton are reportedly interested in securing the services of Fenerbahce striker Emmanuel Emenike, according to reports in Turkey.

    Turkish website Fanatik reports that the player would cost around £10million (N2.8bn) although Fener would ideally not sell their star striker.

    Emenike only signed for Fenerbahce last summer in a strange transfer saga which saw him arrested for match-fixing at one point.

    He actually signed for Fenerbahce back in 2011 but was immediately sold in the same transfer window to Spartak Moscow because of the allegations, before Fener decided to bring him back two years later.

    And his first season with the Turkish side saw him net 11 times and his physicality is deemed perfect for the Premier League.

    Spurs are in the market for a striker after Roberto Soldado’s nightmare debut season in England which left them with just the inconsistent Emmanuel Adebayor and inexperienced Harry Kane at their disposal.

    Everton are in an even more dire need of a centre forward as their first choice striker from last season was Romelu Lukaku, who returned to his parent club Chelsea.

    Emenike is similarly strong like Lukaku and would be ideal for holding the ball up and allow Everton’s midfielders to play off him, just like Lukaku did so well last term.

  • My goals will lift Nigeria at World Cup – Emenike

    My goals will lift Nigeria at World Cup – Emenike

    Fenerbache striker Emmanuel Emenike has promised to score goals as much as necessary to aid Nigeria’s success at the World Cup in Brazil.

    Goal reports that Emenike enjoyed his best-ever season at the heart of Fenerbahce’s attack, leading the club to its 19th league title with 12 league goals and nine assists in 29 matches.

    The bulky attacker declined setting any goal target for himself at the World Cup.

    “Individually, I have nothing to prove and I just hope to prove it well,” Goal quoted Emenike as saying to Africanfootball.com.

    “I know the duty of a striker is to score goals at every tournament, I am aware of that and I am preparing to be at the right time to score the much-needed goals to help my nation do well. But I have no World Cup goals’ target.

    “Nigeria’s success is my target at the World Cup,” he said.

    The 27-year-old said Super Eagles will bring joy to Africa in South America.

    “I believe we will make Nigerians and the entire continent of Africa proud in Brazil,” he said.

  • Emenike to Messi: Underrate Eagles at your peril

    Emenike to Messi: Underrate Eagles at your peril

    Super Eagles striker, Emmanuel Emenike, has responded swiftly to threats coming from Argentina’s super star, Lionel Messi, warning that underrating Nigeria will be at the South Americans’ peril when the World Cup kicks off next month.

    The Fenerbahce of Turkey power-playing forward said the Eagles will approach the game like any other, as there will be no special feelings playing against the star-studded Albiceleste.

    Messi has reportedly cautioned Group F opponents that they would have their hands full as he prepares to lead the two-time world champions’ attack at the mundial.

    “I don’t want to be particular about Argentina, every team is important, and they are not better than other countries in the group,” said told The Nation.

    He continued: “Everyone is entitled to his opinion when it comes to football, exchanging words over matches that have not been played is unnecessary and distracting. We are not going to be distracted by their threats. The truth is that they are underrating us which I think it’s good for us. They are a very good side no doubt but the best team also loses matches.

    “Sometimes it’s not about self ability. Argentina is dependent on Messi, but the Eagles team is not built around any particular player. We depend on collective abilities and that gives us an edge. They (Argentina) can underrate us if they like, but that will be at their own peril. Nigeria will approach each game with as much maturity as we can. Messi must know that he alone cannot play all the positions. “

    Emenike said what Nigerians should pray for is the grace of God, and not focus on human abilities as the World Cup comes calling.

  • Emenike wins goal of the month award in Turkey

    Emenike wins goal of the month award in Turkey

    The supporters of Fenerbahce have selected Emmanuel Emenike’s goal against Trabzonspor on March 10 as the Goal of the Month for March.

    It would be recalled that the game was later cancelled after fans threw objects onto the pitch.

    However, the beautiful goal scored by the Nigeria international in the first half was the most eye catching for March, according to a poll sanctioned by the Yellow Canaries.

    26 -year-old Emenike has struck 12 times in  the Super Lig this season with three rounds of matches left to play to increase his tally.

    He has fired blanks in his last four games in the championship for the Turkish champions.

  • Emenike targets more goals

    Emenike targets more goals

    Fenerbahce’s goal poacher Emmanuel Emenike is worried that he has failed to find the back of the net in his last three matches in the Super League, with his last strike coming against Bursaspor at the end of March.

    And the Nigeria international is hoping to end his mini goal drought this Sunday when the Yellow Canaries welcome Rizespor to the Sükrü Saracoglu Stadium.

    The electronic edition of Fanatik quoted the 26 – year- old as saying : “In the past weeks, I could not find my way to goal. If I am fielded in all the remaining four matches, I want to experience joy of scoring. I think I am still ambitious in front of goal.”

    Fenerbahce will be crowned champions for the 20th time in their history if they don’t lose against Rizespor.

    Emenike fired blanks in the first leg fixture against Rizespor held last December.

  • Emenike sets 18 goals target

    Emenike sets 18 goals target

    Nigeria international Emmanuel Emenike is four goals behind Aatif Chahechouhe in the race for the top scorer award in the Turkish Super League.

    With nine rounds left before the conclusion of the championship, the Fenerbahçe striker has vowed to score in each of the remaining matches which will take his tally to 18.

    Logically, his strike against Trabzonspor in the penultimate round of matches was not counted after the game was abandoned.

    “I want to do all and everything to score in the last nine games, in each game a goal. We are a good team and playing well as a team, and getting good results.

    “We did not start the second round well but found the way to get again on the successful path. I am eager and motivated to score in every game, “ Emmanuel Emenike was quoted as saying by Fanatik.

    Emenike’s haul of 16 goals for Karabükspor back in the 2009 – 2010 campaign remains his best in a single season.

  • Emenike returns from injury

    Emenike returns from injury

    After injuring his hamstring in a Turkish Super Lig game against Konyaspor, Super Eagles ace, Emenike says he is happy to be back jogging.

    The Nigerian, who on Monday this week began his rehab at the gym, Thursday speeded up his recovery process when he started light jogging.

    The AFCON 2013 top scorer was seen jogging with the Yellow Canaries’ physiotherapist at the club’s Bartu Facility.

    “I’m quite excited as I began jogging today (Thursday),” Emenike was reported to have said.

    “I feel good with my recovery progress but I’m not sure if I could play against Sivasspor this weekend.

    “But if I don’t, I know my teammates will go all out there to do their best.”

     

  • Emenike injured in Turkey

    Emenike injured in Turkey

    Nigeria international striker, Emmanuel Emenike, suffered injury when in action for Fenerbahce against Konyaspor on Monday night, MTNFootball.com reports.
    Emenike suffered a partial tear on his right thigh muscle and was substituted in the 80th minute by Mehmet Topuz in a game his side won 2-1.
    A scan will be carried out on the AFCON 2013 top scorer on Tuesday to ascertain the level of the injury.
    Emenike was dogged by long-term injuries last year. First, an hamstring at the Nations Cup and then a knee injury that required surgery in Italy.
    He has scored eight goals in 17 league games for Fenerbahce this season
    Meanwhile, the former Spartak Moscow striker has been acquitted of match-fixing charges by the Supreme Court, Turkey media report.
    Emenike’s lawyer announced that he has been acquitted from the case.