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.