Super Eagles striker Emmanuel Emenike is not certain of having an automatic role in the national team after admitting there are more competitions for the striking positions than anywhere else.
The Fenerbahce forward was outstanding in South Africa last year, winning the Top Scorer award as Nigeria won the Africa Cup of Nations after 19 years’ wait. He was also instrumental in Nigeria’s campaign for the 2014 World Cup scoring vital goals against Ethiopia during the qualifiers.
But with the African Nations Championship holding this month in South Africa, Emenike believes the tournament will churn up more strikers for Nigeria before their final preparation for the World Cup in Brazil.
“There are always fights for roles in the Super Eagles, especially the striking roles. In fact, there are more strikers in the team than midfielders and defenders; the only hope of keeping my role is to work harder and perform better,” the former Spartak Moscow player said.
But if he gets to keep his role, he is not setting any goals target for the World Cup.
“I don’t have a personal target ahead of the World Cup. I’m thinking more of the team’s glory and how to be a better player,” he said.
“I can’t really tell how far we can go in the World Cup, we have to wait until the tournament starts. But I know we have good players that can make things happen in Brazil. If we look at our recent performances and how committed we are, I think we can do very well at the tournament.”
Emenike dismissed talks suggesting Nigeria are in a weak group at the World Cup alongside Iran, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Argentina. He refused to term any team as minnows despite the Europeans being debutants at the event.
“No team at the World Cup should be considered small. Anyone that makes it to the tournament should be respected and deserved to be regarded as a big team. There are no minnows at this level.”
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