Emenike: Eagles to step up to win AFCON
Emenike goes for goal against Liberia in Calabar
Mikel predicts tough derby
Spartak Moscow
striker Emmanuel Emenike has said the Super Eagles will step up their act so as
to win the 2013 AFCON in South Africa
Nigeria have won the Nations Cup twice with their last triumph being 18 years ago in Tunisia.
Emenike told MTNFootball.com he is delighted to have contributed to the Eagles Nations Cup qualification against Liberia and the team will strive hard to step up their game so as to lift the AFCON trophy next year.
"I am happy to be part of the victory over Liberia. I am happy because we all showed the fighting spirit Nigerians expected of us,” said Emenike, who is set for his first Nations Cup finals.
“But this was not our best, that is just the tip of the ice berg. We will be at our best for the Nations Cup. We know what Nigerians expect from us in South Africa and that means we must play better as a team because we are gunning for the title.
“We will strive hard in South Africa to live up to the expectations of Nigerians. I believe with adequate preparation, we will redeem the image of the giant of Africa and win the tournament.”
The big striker has been prolific for his clubs in Europe, but he has struggled to be among the goals for Nigeria.
He told MTNFootball.com he hopes to redress that statistic in South Africa, where he once featured for FC Cape Town.
"I always want to score for my country, but I am not under pressure to do so. It’s just a matter of being there at the right time to score the goals and maybe I have not been there yet, but I continue to work harder,” said the 25-year-old Emenike, who has scored once in about a dozen appearances for his country.
The Eagles will know their first round opponents for the competition on Wednesday in Durban.
Nigeria have won the Nations Cup twice with their last triumph being 18 years ago in Tunisia.
Emenike told MTNFootball.com he is delighted to have contributed to the Eagles Nations Cup qualification against Liberia and the team will strive hard to step up their game so as to lift the AFCON trophy next year.
"I am happy to be part of the victory over Liberia. I am happy because we all showed the fighting spirit Nigerians expected of us,” said Emenike, who is set for his first Nations Cup finals.
“But this was not our best, that is just the tip of the ice berg. We will be at our best for the Nations Cup. We know what Nigerians expect from us in South Africa and that means we must play better as a team because we are gunning for the title.
“We will strive hard in South Africa to live up to the expectations of Nigerians. I believe with adequate preparation, we will redeem the image of the giant of Africa and win the tournament.”
The big striker has been prolific for his clubs in Europe, but he has struggled to be among the goals for Nigeria.
He told MTNFootball.com he hopes to redress that statistic in South Africa, where he once featured for FC Cape Town.
"I always want to score for my country, but I am not under pressure to do so. It’s just a matter of being there at the right time to score the goals and maybe I have not been there yet, but I continue to work harder,” said the 25-year-old Emenike, who has scored once in about a dozen appearances for his country.
The Eagles will know their first round opponents for the competition on Wednesday in Durban.
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