AFCON 2013: Super Eagles Player Profile – Emmanuel Emenike

By Arinze Ude

 

The bullish striker christened Emmanuel Chinenye Emenike hails from Anambra and was born in Otuocha, Aguleri on 10th May 1987. He started his career with Delta Forces before leaving the shores of the country to play in South Africa for Mpumalanga Black Aces and FC Capetown. His delivery in front of goal earned him a loan deal to  Karabükspor in Turkey, he signed permanently after helping them gain promotion to the Turkish SuperLig. He scored 14 goals in his debut SuperLig season, earning a transfer to Turkish giants, Fenerbahce but his time there was cut short after he was embroiled in a match fixing controversy and was shipped out to Spartak Moscow. Five months on of the match fixing, Emenike was charged, along with thirteen players, over alleged match-fixing attempts. If convicted of a charge of match-fixing in a Turkish court, he will be sentenced to three years in prison. Emenike made his Super Eagles debut in a friendly match against Sierra Leone. He was picked by coach, Stephen Keshi to lead the line for Nigeria at 2013 African Cup of Nations ahead of established names like Osaze Odemwingie and Obafemi Martins. He has justified his selection, scoring against Burkina Faso in the opening game, Zambia in the second game, Ivory Coast in the Quarter-finals and Mali in the semi-finals. He’s the top joint scorer at the football event on four goals. On sunday, Emenike will be aiming to deliver the cup into the hands of 150 million Nigerians with his goal(s) and also dislodge his rival, Mubarak Wakaso of Ghana to win the Golden boot award.

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This article was first published on 10th February 2013

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