One thing is certain Sir.............. The Name "Emmanuel Emenike" shall never be forgotten in Nigeria's soccer history.

Sincerely, I'm partially not ok with the way he's leaving but all the same he's made his decision.

But also, it didn't really hit me as a surprise....... *smiles*

Anyway, We just gotta move on............

Orkpekyandega:

Well, lets see if the available strikers mentioned above will produce a consistent goal scoring performance. I can't forget Emenike's goals when we needed them most, especialy his combination with Brown Ideye.
I miss Emenike. I think he did the right thing, to resign when the ovation had started going low is the best thing to do. Unlike others, who waited for the fans to call endlessly for their heads. No need to mention names anyway.

Orkpekyandega:
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Emenike Quits Super Eagles, Apologises For Goal Drought
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[img]http://www.completesportsnigeria.mobi/readNewsItem1.php?nid=14279[/img]
By Johnny Edward and Adeboye Amosu:

Al Ain striker Emmanuel Emenike has announced his retirement from the Super Eagles, two weeks after former captain Vincent Enyeama also called it quits with the senior national team.

Emenike made the shock announcement on Monday night via his Instagram account Chiboy_ee29.
Emenike wrote : “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, insinuating that he might also have fallen out with coach Sunday Oliseh, like Enyeama did just before the Lille keeper retired.
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!”

Despite claiming that all his international dreams have been fulfilled, Emenike apologised to fans for his recent goal drought having not scored for Nigeria in two years.

For every dissapointed 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,” he added.
“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.

Currently playing on loan at Dubai club Al Ain, Emenike debuted for Nigeria at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos during a friendly game against Sierra Leone in 2011.
[/b]

www.completesportsnigeria.mobi/readNewsItem1.php?nid=14279

This isn't a retirement it is a well needed hiatus. There was immense pressure on Oliseh to drop him and he is doing this to free Oliseh. Maybe I should have saw this coming cuz they hugged when he came off in the Cameroon match. Maybe the pressure from the national team was hindering his development at the club level. All the same my hat goes off to Eminike for his handling of the situation and i wish him good luck, though like Enyeama at some point I'm sure he'll be back.

BascoVanVeli:


This isn't a retirement it is a well needed hiatus. There was immense pressure on Oliseh to drop him and he is doing this to free Oliseh. Maybe I should have saw this coming cuz they hugged when he came off in the Cameroon match. Maybe the pressure from the national team was hindering his development at the club level. All the same my hat goes off to Eminike for his handling of the situation and i wish him good luck, though like Enyeama at some point I'm sure he'll be back.

Well said.
Emenike's form really dropped, right from the time Stephen Keshi was still the Coach. If you notice, he was benched and Aaron Samuel preferred against him in our match against Congo or so. Stake holders, as a result questioned Keshi's decision as to why he didn't start the match with Emenike. Well it's in his best interest to resign now, than still be expecting call ups when it might not be fisible.

Honestly if Eminike must retire all the midfielder's should follow suit the guy has not had a clear goal scoring opportunity since he got called offside against France at the world cup and he has played a part in more important goals than people give him credit for, I will always remember the run he made against Bosnia. The way things are looking we will have 11 players to hold a testimonial match for maybe the retired eagles can play the new eagles.

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Abia Warriors defender Obaroakpo confident Eagles will scale Burkina hurdle
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By Sam Nnaji

Abia Warriors captain Austin Obaroakpo has described his full debut for the Nigerian national team as "great" and an "honour" after the team's win over Burkina Faso in a first leg of the CHAN qualifiers at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt on Saturday. Obarakpo was a member of the squad that hit the Burkinabes 2-0.

"Honestly it feels very great and I am very happy knowing fully well it was my first full debut for the national team and the whole country was watching me", said Obaroakpo, whose previous action for the national team was a three minute appearance in the friendly against Cameroon in Belgium about a week ago. "I feel honoured being among the chosen ones to represent the country and the whole country watching you. It was a good opportunity and I knew I had to use it very well but you know I just can't describe the feeling. I feel great".

The central defender also praised the team's winning performance admitting that they knew it would be a tough game. "We didn't expect an easy game because they are a good side", Obaroakpo continued. "They beat our under-23 a few weeks ago but we prepared well for it and we expected a very difficult game.

"You know a lot of people were worried because we were coming from different teams and the problem was if we will 'gell' very well. But we have been training together for the past two weeks and even though the two weeks is not enough, we had to ginger ourselves and talk a lot to ourselves and know ourselves better. We knew that first of all we must put our house in order.

The understanding will be on the pitch and off the pitch.
"We had a great performance. We are not disappointed. I am happy we got the result. To get two goals was not easy, we played as a team and we worked hard for it.

I thank God that our efforts in training showed on the pitch."
The home-based Eagles got a 24th minute breakthrough from Nasarawa United's Yaro Bature but had to wait till the 13 minute from time to double their lead.

Team captain and Warri Wolves' talisman Gbolahan Salami converted a penalty after Enyimba's Ezekiel Bassey had been brought down in the area.

Obaroakpo admits that he, like the home fans was worried about the slender lead.

"Honestly I was worried because I knew 1-0 was not enough, we knew we were still going to Burkina Faso to play the second leg, we knew we needed to increase the goal tally. We felt better after the second goal," He said.

But the defender also acknowledges that the job is only half done and there is an even stricter test in the second leg next weekend in Ouagadougou.

"We are expecting a very difficult game because will play at home and in front of their fans who will be cheering them up, it not going to be an easy game at all but we are ready and we are going to keep training and preparing for the game. Our target is to go there and win, we can't rely on a draw," Obaroakpo revealed.
[/b]

npfl.ng/index.php/news-features/club-news/1221-abia-warriors-defender-obaroakpo-confident-eagles-will-scale-burkina-hurdle

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AF Nigeria Nigeria
Nigerian trio wins Bahrain Super Cup
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Nigerian party - Akarandut (left), Omosuiyi, Agba flying the flag high in Bahrain

Nigerian trio of Akarandut Orok, Uche Agba and Ifedayo Omosuiyi has won the Bahrain Super Cup 2015 after Al Hidd beat Al-Muharraq 5-4 on penalties after the game ended 1-1 in regulation time.

The trio featured in the game with Orok playing the full game, Agba was substituted in the second half, while Omosuiyi assisted for Al Hidd equaliser.

Orok scored one of the penalties for Al Hidd.
The one-time highest goal scorer in Nigeria League said this Super Cup success will serve as morale booster for the team.

"I feel excited about it. It's my first time of playing in the Super Cup and I won it. I give God all the glory,” he said.

“The victory means a lot to me and the entire team because it will serve as morale booster for us to win more trophies this season."

The Akwa State-born striker has now won three trophies with Al Hidd after winning King's Cup and Bahrain Federations Cup last season.
[/b]

africanfootball.com//news/577750/Nigerian-trio-wins-Bahrain-Super-Cup

^^^^^^

@the above "titled"....... *Nigerian Trio wins Bahrain Super Cup*

Interesting, so Akarandut Orok, one-time Nigerian league goal king with 17 goals (while starring for Akwa Utd) is in bahrain now.

Well, it's sad that most of the Npfl top scorers don't go on to better leagues and better deals just because most of them are always in a hurry to "play abroad" and "earn higher cash". All these to the detriment of their talents and potentials. It's really sad.

Only Ahmed Musa has gone on to a pretty good career in Europe among Nigeria's NPFL goal kings in the last 10 yrs or so.

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‘Swaziland no match for Eagles’
By: Humphrey Njoku
[/size]
Former Super Eagles assistant coach Joe Erico has laughed off the threat of Swaziland’s Sihlangu Semnikati to the side’s race for a place at the 2018 Fifa World Cup in Russia.

The Eagles will engage the Southern Africans in a two-legged encounter in next month's second round African qualifiers for the quadrennial football showpiece.

Swaziland outplayed Djibouti 8-1 on aggregate in the first round hostilities to earn the right to face Nigeria who were drawn a bye from the preliminary campaign.

Erico said that though there are no minnows in the round leather game the Southern Africans cannot muster the energy to stop Nigeria from advancing to the mini-league stage of the World Cup race.

Swaziland Team Photo

“Of course Swaziland cannot stop Nigeria from qualifying for the next stage of the 2018 World Cup even though we all agree that there are no minnows in football.

“No, no, Swaziland do not have the muscle to puncture Nigeria’s race but that does not call for complacency on the part of Super Eagles.

“Hard work is the watchword on the part of Eagles once they are able to plan well, play together ahead of the clash they will certainly overcome the Swazis,” said the former Nigerian goalkeeper to supersport.com.

The Eagles are expected to fly into Lobamba in the first week of November for the first leg fixture clash while the reverse clash will be held in Nigeria a week later.

The aggregate winners of both legs will claim the ticket to the group stage that will see the top teams secure spots for the Russia 2018 World Cup.
[/b]

ng.supersport.mobi/football/super-eagles/news/151020/Swaziland_no_match_for_Eagles

[b][size=14pt]
Oliseh wants better Eagles in Ouagadougou
By: Sammy Wejinya
[/size]

Oliseh

Super Eagles coach, Sunday Oliseh has charged his charges to “fight in Ouagadougou” ahead of Saturday’s 2016 African Nations Championship (Chan) qualifier against Burkina Faso.

Nigeria won 2-0 against the Burkinabe in the first leg decided on Saturday at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt thanks to goals from Yaro Bature and Gbolahan Salami.

Oliseh is however not letting his charges get lulled into a false sense of security and stressed that work still needs to be done in the return fixture.

“Oliseh is never satisfied after a performance (by his team). This is because he is a winner.

“After the game, he told the players that the job is not over and that they should prepare to fight in Ouagadougou,” Oliseh’s special assistant and former Nigerian international Tijani Babangida told supersport.com.

Babangida, who is also the Super Eagles’ liaison officer, then took the time to assess the Burkinabe side insisting that the Stallions were content to employ conservative tactics on Saturday.

“They played as we expected - defending in numbers.
“We also know that they played the game without the services of one of their best strikers who is expected to play in the return fixture in Ouagadougou.
“They however used about six of the players that defeated our under-23s at the 2015 All Africa Games (men’s football event in Congo).

“We know them and we know they will attack more in the second leg.

“I just hope we rise up to the challenge on Saturday,” he said.
[/b]
ng.supersport.mobi/football/super-eagles/news/151020/Oliseh_wants_better_Eagles_in_Ouagadougou

AIG07:
is the list of invited players out?

I haven't seen any list on that yet.

BlackAlbino6:

I haven't seen any list on that yet.

i think the list should be out anytime from next week.

[b][size=14pt]
Emmanuel Emenike: Nigeria striker's retirement shocks Oliseh
[/size]
By Oluwashina Okeleji

Emmanuel Emenike last scored for Nigeria in October 2013

Nigeria coach Sunday Oliseh is mystified by Emmanuel Emenike's decision to retire from internationals.

The 28-year-old striker revealed this week he would no longer be available for the Super Eagles.

"When I first heard about it I made a phone call to Emenike to clarify the situation but there was no answer," Oliseh told BBC Sport.

"It's shocking and surprising because we've worked together in my first four matches as Super Eagles coach."

Oliseh added: "He is part of our rebuilding process and I did not see signs of misunderstanding or issues working with a great player like Emenike."

Reports had suggested Emenike would be left out of Nigeria's squad for next month's World Cup qualifier against Swaziland because he has not scored at international level for two years.

But Oliseh, who succeeded Stephen Keshi as coach in July,insisted there was no truth to the speculation.
"It's a figment of someone's imagination because it did not come from me," he said. "I've not spoken to any journalist about my squad or the World Cup game that will only take place in November.

"My coaches and I have been fully focused on the CHAN qualifier [against Burkina Faso], so I don't know where they got that [plans to axe Emenike] information from."

Emenike is the second player to announce his retirement from Nigeria's senior squad this month, following Lille goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama - Nigeria's most-capped player - who quit after he was replaced as captain.

Emenike made his international debut in a friendly against Sierra Leone in Lagos in February 2011 and was top scorer at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations, helping Nigeria lift the trophy.

He made 37 appearances for the Super Eagles and scored nine goals.
[/b]

m.bbc.com/sport/football/34598143

[b][size=14pt]
NFF Mum Over Emenike’s ‘Retirement’
By Onukogu Kanayo Jubal
[/size]

After the Super Eagles leading striker, Emmanuel Emenike, followed in the path of former choice goalie, Vincent Enyeama, taking to social media on Tuesday to state his retirement from national duty, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has remained mum over the issues, insisting that it has “no official position” on an issue it was not informed about.

The football federation’s communications director, Demola Olajire, told LEADERSHIP Sports yesterday, in very short sentences, that the NFF had no lead on the issues that led to Emenike’s action.

“We have not heard of anything from the team. As you know, the coach is trying to recuperate, so we will wait to hear from him, as the coach of the team. As for us, when the NFF makes an official statement on the matter, we will communicate to you,” he stated curtly.
[/b]

leadership.ng/sports/468878/nff-mum-over-emenikes-retirement

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Emenike’s Resignation Not Good Omen For Football Development – Coach Dike
[/size]
Coach Obiano Dike has said that the sudden resignation of Emmanuel Emenike from the Super Eagles should be a source of concern to genuine football stakeholders in Nigeria.

Reacting to Emenike’s reported resignation from the national team, Dike told (NAN) on Wednesday in Awka that the development was worrisome.

The player is the second member of the Super Eagles to announce his retirement from the squad within a space of two weeks.

Vincent Enyeama, the goalkeeper and captain of the team, had on Oct. 8, announced his retirement from international competitions with the national team.

Dike, also the Director of DOSSAD Academy, Awka, said Emenike’s decision was a psychological one which should be probed to address the concerns of players and stem the growing trend.

The sports psychologist said that a situation where two experienced members of the team retired from national service was not in the best interest of the growth of football in Nigeria.

“It is not the best for our football, Emenike is still active to retire now, Enyeama’s case is still fresh on our minds. These are senior players we need to make impact at the world stage.

“Even if their reasons are personal, they should be addressed because they are members of the football family.
“And when we allow them to walk away like that, the implication is that more will follow.

“Sunday Oliseh and the Nigerian Football Association should show more human management skills by accommodating the opinions and feelings of players because with what Emenike said, all may not be well somewhere,’’ he said.

But Harrison Okagbue, an ex-international, said that Emenike’s retirement from international football was normal,’’ particularly if feels he is no more relevant in the team. ‘’

The former Cranes of Uganda coach lauded the courage of Emenike to bow out of national duty when the ovation was loudest.

He said that it was nothing to worry about as resigning from national team was normal in football.

“Emenike may feel that he is no longer meeting expectations; he may have seen that his place in the team is no more guaranteed, so, he feels the honourable thing is to retire.

“It is normal in football, it is a welcome development. What is important is to know what to do at the right time. For me, I wish him happy retirement,’’ he said.
[/b]

dailyindependentnig.com/2015/10/emenikes-resignation-not-good-omen-for-football-development-coach-dike/

[b][size=14pt]
Nigeria: Oliseh Shouldn't Be Blamed for Eagles' Retirements - Abbey
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[img]http://allafrica.com/view/group/main/main/id/00039420.html[/img]
Emmanuel Emenike in full flight. (file photo).

By Mansur Abubakar
Former Super Eagles defender George Abbey has defended manager Sunday Oliseh over the controversy trailing the retirement of Vincent Enyeama and Emmanuel Emenike from the national team.

The ex-Macclesfield Town star in a chat with Daily Trust yesterday, also said people blaming Oliseh for recent happenings in the Eagles set up are unfair to him considering they jump to early conclusions with little information at their disposal.

"It's unfair to blame the coach for the players' decision. If the player hasn't blamed the coach for his decision, why should we? In Emenike's case I'm sure he'll have his reasons for quitting, we have to respect & applaud him for his time with the team and wish him well," Abbey told Daily Trust.

Though Emenike's recent announcement via social media contained no direct hint of animosity, most football followers are wondering if his exit is influenced by a purported plan by the Eagles manager to finally drop the striker from his team for next month's FIFA World Cup qualifier against Swaziland.

Former Captain and goalkeeper Enyeama who quit the senior national side 3 weeks ago also announced his exit on Instagram after a major disagreement with the coach at a Belgium camp.

Emenike last scored for Nigeria two years ago and has at least 4 Club titles from his stint at Karabukspor, Spartak Moscow, and Fenerbahce; and one national title from the Super Eagles win at the African Cup of Nations in 2013.
[/b]

allafrica.com/stories/201510220195.html

[b][size=14pt]
Nigeria/Burkina Faso: S'Eagles Vow to Beat Burkina Faso in Ouagadougou
[/size]
By Samuel Ifetoye
An official of the senior national team has assured Nigerians that the Super Eagles will beat Burkina Faso in the second leg of the African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifier on Sunday. His reason for such optimism: The team has been working hard to correct all the lapses observed in the first leg of the tie, which Nigeria won 2-10 in Port Harcourt.

Speaking on the team's readiness for the encounter, Super Eagles' Media Officer, Toyin Ibitoye, said: "To us nothing is won yet; there is still 90 minutes to navigate. It is going to be tough navigating the second 90 minutes in Ouagadougou. So, the boys are aware of this and the coaches are doing everything possible to prepare for the second leg the way we prepared for the first leg.
Even harder than we prepared for the first leg so that we can a get a better result."

Ibitoye added "Coach Sunday Oliseh is fully in charge of the preparation for the second leg tie this weekend. We are happy to have him back and we know what his presence can do for the boys.

We know what his psyche can do to the team. We happy to have him around, we hope he recovers fully for the second leg in Ouagadougou."

Ibitoye is not taking anything away from the Burkinabes, who have been one of the rising stars of African football. He added: "In football anything can happen, that is why we have to be adequately prepared for whatever they throw at us. We have seen the first game, we know what they can do, we know how they can play, but we know that in African football anything can happen.

We are also not resting on our oars and that is why the coaches are taking the match as if the first leg was never played. The team is going to do its best."
[/b]

allafrica.com/stories/201510220047.html

[b][size=14pt]
We’re unaware of Emenike retirement –NFF
By Paul Erewuba
[/size]
… He’s replaceable –Oliseh
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), yesterday denied knowledge of Super Eagles striker, Emmanuel Emenike, insisting the Al Ain FC of UAE player was yet to notify the association of his alleged retirement.

It could be recalled that Emenike took to social media on Tuesday to announce his retirement from international football.

According to him, “After five great years, I am happy to announce that I have put a full stop to my national team career for the sake of national peace,” his state­ment on Instagram read.

Continuing, he said; “It’s a pleasure for me to have played for this great country. I never regretted it and I think it’s the best time to end it. The Super Eagles is a camp, not a family house. And it shouldn’t be a threat zone for any individual.”

However, NFF spokesperson Ademola Olajire yesterday reportedly revealed that Emenike had not communicated with the country’s football governing body.

“The NFF is yet to receive any official no­tification of retirement from Emenike. He didn’t inform us about his decision before going to the social media to announce it.”

But, Super Eagles head coach, Sunday Oliseh, while reacting to Emenike’s retire­ment, allayed fears, imploying Nigerians not to panic that Emenike is replaceable.

Oliseh, however expressed shock over the player’s sudden retirement of from the Super Eagles, adding that nobody ex­cept the entity Nigeria itself is irreplace­able.

“It was a big shocker for us and a big shocker for me personally… personally, I still don’t accept that he has retired be­cause officially I have not heard anything from him and I don’t think the Federation have also heard from him, only what we know is what was posted on social media,” Oliseh said yesterday.

Oliseh explained how he has made Emenike part of his rebuilding process and accorded him more playing time than any striker so far under his reign.

“I have made him (Emenike) part of our rebuilding process, in fact he has had more playing time than any striker we have had, so I am very surprised that he has decided to retire”.
[/b]

nationalmirroronline.net/new/were-unaware-of-emenike-retirement-nff/