EMMANUEL Emenike, Super Eagles’ super striker and Golden Boot Award winner at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), has spoken extensively for the very first time since last Sunday’s unlucky injury that would keep him off the field for the rest of the Russian Super League season.
It would also keep him further way from the Nigerian national team with a busy June calendar when they would be playing two World Cup qualifiers and the Confederation Cup Tournament in Brazil.
Speaking exclusively with The Nation Sport & Style for close to an hour from his base, Emenike said the injury has only made him stronger and determined to overcome all obstacles on his way.
“I have been through a lot in my career and I always come back stronger,” he started. “This would not be different for me. I will get back stronger, although it is highly frustrating seeing myself on the side line again, but the best way to cope with such situation is to give God the glory.
“I am alive, I am happy; I am loved by my club and in my country. I think with all the support I have around me, it will make it easy for me to bounce back mush quicker than anticipated,” he added.
Emenike is of the opinion that the latest injury and subsequent sideline is an opportunity to even get closer to God : “I have learnt to be more faithful to God knowing that l was vindicated just few days ago of a grievous charge in Turkey and God has vindicated me in that case. He will help me to come back better and stronger,” explained Emenike, as he spoke further on other interesting issues. Excerpts…
After you have been declared fit for the Anzhi game, Nigerians were happy to see their goal-poacher returning to action but you will be missing the Confederation Cup and World Cup qualifiers again due to injury…
It’s painful, but Nigeria is blessed with a lot of talented players all over the world. Like I said before that I am a team player, I expect the team to go all the way and qualify for the World Cup and try and win the FIFA confederations Cup in Brazil. They are lots of good players in the Super Eagles team and there are lots of players who are on queue to get the chance, and maybe this will give another player the opportunity to shine in the team. But on my own part, I will support the team to qualify and win the Confederation cup.
You have also been ruled out of June World Cup qualifiers and Confederations Cup
I think I am not destined to play the Confederations Cup. Sometimes, it is not by chance but the grace of God. I consider this injury as part of the game, it happens and there is nothing one can do about it. I don’t regret anything and at the moment my aim is to return stronger and sharp. I am not thinking on how I will miss games. My best thinking now is to respond well to treatment and get back.
You tasted some minutes of action against Anzhi since the Nations Cup injury before you were stretched out again. What was it like when you first touched the ball again?
It was as if the ball should stick to my feet. It was exciting especially when I saw the fans cheering me. It was a great moment. Being out on injury could be the most frustrating aspect of any footballer’s career. It means that you will just be looking at the ball and you cannot do anything about it. But l’m feeling confident that I will be back stronger. The injury has come and it will go, that’s life.
Your club is fourth on the table; do you still think Spartak will qualify for the Champions League or Europa?
I think qualifying for the UEFA Champions League play-off will be difficult, giving the current form of Zenith, and also their remaining matches are not that strong statistically. For us to be pushing for Champions League, we must be at the second spot which I think will be difficult, but Europa cup is a must for us. We will qualify to Europa, my team mates are capable, they have been doing wonderfully well in my absence and that has really helped the team; so qualifying for Europa league next season is still another chance for us to play in Europe.
In your first season in Russia, you helped Spartak to qualify for UEFA Champions League. Maybe your injury is taking a toll on them?
It has affected me also…. But all my dreams are still intact, it’s only time that changes. I will surely repay the club with goals next season. I will be back for good and more glory next season by the grace of God.
You were recently photographed with Samuel Eto’o in a mansion in Moscow, what occasion was that and what is your relationship with the African great?
He’s my friend, we relate well on and off the pitch; even though I admire him as a player and he’s the all-time Africa King as far as I am concerned. He told me to be calm and remain confident and focused. He also told me that injury brings out the best of any player. We talked about football, life style and we talked about some games. He’s a great African man, and I can also regard him as a leader who always inspires friends and younger ones on how they can be at the top.
You share some playing qualities with Samuel Eto’o in terms of speed and strength?
Yes and I am also looking forward to being a player in his calibre. But that can only be achieved with hard work and not on the pages of newspaper.
Don’t you think this injury could have robbed you of good mention for the 2013 African Footballer of the Year?
Honestly speaking, all those things are not on my mind whenever I am on the pitch; I don’t think about individual glory but collective glory of the team. It has been in me, I can’t change. I always like to make my team mates happy. During the AFCON, I never thought of becoming the top scorer, my eyes were on the trophy. When fans were tipping Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana as the AFCON 2013 favourites, it really challenged me and my team mates in the Super Eagles. Challenge in the sense that, we as individuals are better than some of these players. We have a good team and a great coach and we are motivated, so why can’t we go all the way and shock these critics? Sincerely speaking, I never discussed it with anybody, but whenever I see myself on the starting list, my muscles always rise to go out there and fight for my country. It is true that I aimed to return to my club with my AFCON form, not injury, but things just went the way they went. I still have many years to play and maybe claim the African footballer of the year award.
You were quoted to have said a player got you injured, was it intentional?
No! It was not intentional. I actually wanted to play the ball while the goal keeper was trying to stop me and unfortunately he hit my knee, so I can’t fault him. And it was not anybody’s fault.
You have been cleared of match-fixing allegation in Turkey after several months of threats…
Justice at last! I am not only happy that I was cleared but the same story has been re-written at world stage. If you could remember in my last interview that I don’t know anything about it, that justice must prevail in my favour. I never knew anything about the whole issue and thank God that it has been cleared. And you can see that it has never affected my game because God knows that I am innocent. But to God be the glory.
It seems you have faced a lot of stress on the match-fixing allegation?
My brother, the Lord is my shepherd. And I am thanking the God Almighty that I am serving; He has not let me down on this issue. But do you know the truth of the whole thing is that I remain focused. I saw it as lesson to rise to the top, I saw it as one of the challenges I must face to be there. Now, it is over, no more Emenike! Emenike! Emenike! Some people still went on to fabricate their own story in Nigeria, but I forgive them.
You have won the AFCON trophy and top scorer award and being in the Confederation of African Football Best XI. What else do you dream of winning at the continental level?
There are lots of things I still dream about to do at the continental level. I still want to win more AFCON trophies for Nigeria, taking Nigeria to the top spot on the rank and achieve the best ever honour of winning the World Cup. Also, there are other individual honours I will like to win in Africa, but for now I want to work harder to reach that level.
What makes you to be so strong and fast; do you put in extra training?
I don’t do any special training for that, everything is from God. I think it is natural. I have been rugged from the start of my career on the street. I do admit that I could be rugged because of some huge defenders who may likely take you for a ride. But when they notice you are also smart and strong, and then the battle will be 50-50. Anyway, I love my style because that has helped me a lot.
