Al Ain of UAE striker Emmanuel Emenike has maintained his decision to quit international football had nothing to do with coach Sunday Oliseh.
Emenike has announced he will no longer be available for selection by Nigeria to join Lille goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama, who has also called time on his Eagles career.
Oliseh recalled the striker even after he had declared after taking over the team he would only call up players who are playing regularly in the top leagues in the world.
"I have absolutely nothing against the coach (Oliseh)," said the 28-year-old Emenike, who has gone more than two years without scoring a goal for Nigeria.
"As for me, I still remain loyal to coach Sunday Oliseh and I want to believe he understands my decision.
“My decision has nothing to do with the coach, who is a brave man, a technically sound person, my decision has nothing to go against his vision for the Super Eagles.
“Me out of the team will equally ease pressure on the coach and it will enable the younger players to fight harder for the team."
The 2013 AFCON top scorer has equally thrown his weight behind the Eagles to qualify for both the 2017 AFCON and 2018 World Cup.
"Nigeria have produced lots of talented goal poacher like Julius Aghahowa, Victor Agali, Yakubu Aiyegbeni, Samuel Okwaraji, Obafemi Martins, Ike Uche, Rashidi Yekini just to mention a few. I believe with God on our side, the team will fly higher without Emenike,” he predicted.
"I will be glad to see them qualify for both the AFCON and World Cup in 2018.
“We have lots of good players in the team and more are still coming in to contribute, so I believe the team will get better and stronger as time goes on. The team will be great under Oliseh."
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