We are not aware of Emenike’s retirement – NFF

Emmanuel Emenike
 

The Nigeria Football Federation has said Al Ain of Dubai forward, Emmanuel Emenike, has yet to notify the NFF of his retirement from the Super Eagles.

Emenike, who last scored for the Eagles in a 2014 World Cup qualifying match against Ethiopia on October 13, 2013, announced his retirement from the Super Eagles on Instagram on Tuesday.

The 2013 Africa Cup of Nations winner wrote, “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.

“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.”

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But spokesman for the NFF, Ademola Olajire, told our correspondent on the telephone on Tuesday that Emenike had yet to inform the federation that he had quit the national team.

He said, “The NFF has 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.”

Emenike played his first match for the Eagles in a friendly match against Sierra Leone in 2011. He went on to make 37 appearances for the country and scored nine goals.

Meanwhile, former Nigeria midfielder, Friday Ekpo, has said the Eagles will miss Emenike’s experience.

The Senegal ’92 Africa Cup of Nations bronze medallist told our correspondent on the telephone on Tuesday that Emenike’s exit would affect the young players in the team.

“Emenike’s retirement is coming at the wrong time. Since he has expressed it and he has given us reasons for doing so, I wish him the best of luck in his endeavours,” the former Gabon-based player said.

“The Eagles will miss his experience. The team we have now is made up of new players who will need to learn from an experienced player like Emenike. When senior players leave a team, the younger ones find it difficult to learn. This may later affect the team.”

Ekpo advised the NFF to correct the team’s   problems to avoid a division in the side.

“The NFF should sit with the coach (Sunday Oliseh) to identify any areas where problems may have arisen in the team and provide solutions to them,” he said.