2014 W/Cup: I’m not under pressure – Emenike

He is just 26 but hugely gifted with the talent of
a footballer and he does well in the art of
goalscoring. Emmanuel Emenike led Nigeria’s
charge for the 2013 AFCON triumph in South
Africa. He emerged the highest goal scorer in
the tournament with four goals even when he
missed Nigeria’s final two matches.
The 5 feet six inches tall striker was also
instrumental to Nigeria’s qualification for the
World Cup as his brace against Ethiopia in Addis
Ababa ensured Nigeria had an easier task in the
second leg of the final qualifier in Calabar. Since
moving over to Turkey where he pitched tents
with Fernabahce early this season, the powerful
striker has netted eight goals in sixteen matches
thus reinforcing the belief that he could be the
redeemer of Nigerian football, particularly as
the Eagles are preparing for the World Cup in
Brazil this June.
Last week, telecommunication giants, Globacom
appointed him their brand ambassador. He was
asked if his appointment by Globacom and the
general World Cup expectations from millions of
Nigerians had put him under any pressure
“I am not under any pressure. If anything, the
pressure will be on the entire team. It will be
shared by all members of the team. I am just
one player.”
Emenike sounded modest on his chances in the
World Cup bound squad as he said, “I will have
to work harder to ensure I make the team to
Brazil because Nigeria is blessed with a lot of
strikers. A striker’s place is the easiest to replace
in Nigeria
He boasted that the Super Eagles will be one of
the toughest teams in Brazil, adding, “we have a
very good team with excellent players. “We have
a very good team,” he said repeatedly, adding,
“mind you, there is no small team at the World
Cup. We will give equal respect to all our
opponents and face them as they come.”
Emenike said he bore no grudge over his
inability to make the final three nominees for
the Glo-CAF Player of the Year Award. “No such
feelings,” he said, pointing out that players like
Mikel Obi, Yaya Toure and Didier Drogba were
big names in the continent and that he was just
a beginner. “They are all great players. I cannot
fault the last three, but I am praying for my
team mate, Mikel to win the award.”