Emmanuel Emenike Announces Retirement From International Football

Fenerbahçe loanee Emmanuel Emenike has announced his retirement from international football more than four and a half years after making his debut for the Super Eagles against Sierra Leone in a friendly.

The 2013 African Cup of Nations top scorer took to social media to voice his frustrations on how he has been maltreated by the stakeholders, adding that he had to call it quits to avoid further humiliation.

“No more Eagles career! After 5 great years, I am happy to announce that I have put full-stop to my National team career for the sake of national peace,” Emenike said in an Instagram post.

“It’s a pleasure for me to have played for this great country. I never regretted it and I think its the best time to end it. Millions 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.

“Super Eagles is a camp not a family house, and it shouldn’t be a threat zone for any individual. I have done according to our national anthem.

“All my dreams came true in the national team, I dreamt to win Nations Cup for Nigeria after 20-years, I dreamt to play 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! It has always being my pleasure to play and win for the team.

“I am always proud of my successful years in the team and I am pleased to call it off at this point in order to avoid insults.”

Prior to calling it quits, Emenike had put on the green - white - green jersey for 1,326 minutes, a run of 18 games, without finding the back of the net.

“For every disappointed fan, 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,” Emenike added.