Emmanuel Emenike, Nigeria striker, believes Stephen Keshi, coach of the Super Eagles, broke his own rules when he criticised him in an interview with a local media.
“There are certain things you’d not expect from your coach. If there’s any problem, as a player you only want to find out directly from him and not in the media, it’s something he taught us. I feel honoured playing for Nigeria and I respect the coach like my own father. I give my all to the team because we are like one big family any time we all come together. But for him to say I am creating a problem in the team and that my teammates are unhappy with me is sad and unacceptable. It’s like sending a wrong message to the fans, but if the coach feels my invitation to the camp will not bring the needed results or peace in the team, he can leave me out.” Emenike lamented.
Keshi was quoted as saying he is unhappy with the Fenerbache striker, for only arriving on the eve of the game and not showing him and his teammates enough respect. It is not the first time both player and manager have clashed in the media. Emenike criticised Keshi, in March 2013, for ignoring and abandoning him when he suffered a long-term hamstring injury during the Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa.
The 27-year-old has been included in the Nigeria squad for this month’s Africa Cup of Nations double-header against Sudan and it is unclear whether Emenike will refuse to join up with the Super Eagles.
Stephen Keshi has refused to make any comment on the latest incident involving the striker who he dropped to the bench in last month’s 2015 Africa Cup of Nations shock defeat by Congo in Calabar.
Following a defeat by Congo and a draw with South Africa, the Super Eagles are third in Group A, with only the top two teams guaranteed a place at the finals. It places extra pressure on the African champions to win their match away to Sudan, which will take place on 11 October, and the return fixture four days later in Abuja.
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