A former top Nigerian player who dumped his nation to play for little-known Haiti, says he does not regret the decision despite not reaching the peak of his career.

Emmanuel Sarki was a contemporary of John Obi Mikel in the Golden Eaglets team that featured in the 2003 FIFA U-17 World Cup hosted by Finland.

While Mikel is on the verge of leading Nigeria to the 2018 World Cup having featured in the 2014 edition of the Mundial held in Brazil, Sarki, who at his peak was signed by Chelsea in 2006, has resigned to fate playing for little known, Haiti.

But the 28-year-old remains adamant, saying he has no regrets dumping Nigeria for Haiti.

He revealed the real reason he abandoned Nigeria.

In an interview published in the Scottish Sun, Sarki said he decided to snub Nigeria and play international football for Haiti instead because he got sick of being asked to pay up to £1,000 to play for the Super Eagles.

“I was told to pay before I am called up, that was when I was playing in Israel. I won’t mention the name of the coach,” he said.

“It was Efe Ambrose who gave me the contact of the coach after telling him of my form. I put a call across to him, but he told me to speak with his assistant, who openly asked me for money.


“A lot of friends asked me to pay the money, but the sum they were quoting was way more than what I can afford. I couldn’t pay it and despite my fine form, I wasn’t contacted again.”

Sarki played for the Flying Eagles, the Nigeria U-20 and the U-23 team but he never fulfilled his dream with the Super Eagles.

He said it is a different ball game with the Haiti national team.

cc: lalasticlala

http://naijafootballplus.com/home/news/1974/Emmanuel-Sarki-Blasts-Nigerian-coaches-says-they-demand-bribe-to-feature-players

http://www.premiumtimesng.com/sports/football/218455-ex-u17-star-played-alongside-mikel-no-regret-dumping-nigeria-haiti.html

Haba na, your father land will always remain oh...

Emmanuel Sarki when he was playing for Nigeria and now Haiti

it is his decision and i respect it.....

Edwinmason:
it is his decision and i respect it.....

yea but some coaches kill the game

why ask players to pay before they play?

I respect your decision bro..... Una no wan play for Naija cus of a reason or the other.

But you wanna be buried in Nigeria when the time comes.

Is the corntree a cemetery?

I once told a friend da d greatest mistake u will make as a nigerian is to serve NIGERIA

Nigeria will Neva appreciate u

I pity da young lady da was given 10k fr representing nigeria in FIFA world cup few months ago


if da lady had invested d time she spent on trainings in camp and other things

if she had spent da time selling common pure water she would hav made more Dan da 10k


D's country is HEARTLESS

Bride or no bribe he wasn't really good enough for Nigeria.




All the best tho.

He wasn't that good anyways

Theyveedo:
Bride or no bribe he wasn't really good enough for Nigeria.




All the best tho.

bribe

Na wao

buhari Is as corrupt as the coach period

Wat a country

smeh ,even club football in Nigeria, you must grease palm self, I Dont blame foreign based players for declining Nigeria's call up because this country is all shades of messed up.That's why I love Germany ,they never run out of stars,as soon as khedira is 31,a young German is already there to take his place but in Nigeria you will see a 39 year old midfielder, abeg wetin him wan play?

Is there any aspect of the Nigerians state without corruption? Please don't mention church o

It's not a new fact that nigerian coaches ask for bribes to feature players, even at grassroot level.

Emmanuel Sarki Snubbing Nigeria to play for Haiti who does that??..

We know it exists but if you can't mention the name of the coach then don't waste my time

Yes all local coaches, one way or the other asked for bribe before inviting unknown foreign based players.. I know of one whom was invited to 2009 under 20 World Cup And askedvto pay 800k just for invitation to camping. Do d math who was d coach. So they all do it.

No lies.. to survive as a footballer in this country, you need money, talent and luck.. If you are aspiring to be a professional football, make sure you have a job as a fall back option.

How this one take concern me.. I still dey find way to produce food for my country. please check my signature

Bribe ke?
God help Nigeria.
My fellow NLanders, Today is my Birthday .... show me some love.

Former top Nigeria player? Yet we don't know him here in Kano pillars

Even in Haiti, you had just 4 appearance since 2014

who will I blame for this?

robosky02:



yea but some coaches kill the game

why ask players to pay before they play?

only in nigeria

nedu2000:
We know it exists but if you can't mention the name of the coach then don't waste my time

And mine too! Not mentioning the name is a form of currption too. I hate that "name withheld" thing when reporting about a crime or criminal because to me thats aiding and abetting!

robosky02:


yea but some coaches kill the game
why ask players to pay before they play?

corruption

That's the truth...I remember When Me and few friends of mine reported to the U17 Camp @ Goal project Abuja as the Camp was thrown Open..Although Twas Our Club Coach who picked us and asked us to go after spending few weeks with them Coach Amuneke but one idiot Official from the glass house told us"Guys if you're to make the Team,You go pay 200k each" We left the camp the following day

if i was a footballer and snubbed by Nigeria, I will rather play for The Phillipines or Vietnam than Haiti.