NFF President Amaju Pinnick has described Emmanuel Emenike's decision to take to social media to announce his retirement from international football on the 19th of October as 'disrespectful'.
Though the Federation President revealed an official letter has since been received to the effect; and written on behalf of the player, Pinnick insisted the 28-year-old who finished as highest goal scorer of the 2013 AFCON; which Nigeria won deserved, a fitting honor from the Federation for his contribution to the country’s football history.
” It was only yesterday I received a letter officially notifying me that he wants to retire from International football. If he did that without going to social media it would have been more appropriate and respectful. ” Rather than going on social media to announce your retirement; To us it was quite disrespectful to the Football Federation and family in Nigeria,” the NFF stated.
The forward featured in the last four games of the Super Eagles under new coach Sunday Oliseh despite not scoring for the national team since 2013; however there were reports Emenike’s decision was based on his fears the coach had ruled him out of future invitations.
Amaju continued, ” You have contributed immensely, you were the highest goal scorer at the AFCON we won. Your contribution to us is legendary and we want to accord you that same status when you decide to stop playing. It becomes disrespectful when you start to throw tantrum and give the impression of a negative coloration.”
Emenike’s retirement came 11 days after former captain and first choice goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama also dropped the news his retirement on his Instagram.