By FRED IWENJORA
That Super Eagles striker, Emmanuel Emenike made Coach Stephen Keshi’s list of the contingent to the world cup beginning in Brazil tomorrow was no surprise to many, who have followed the meteoric rise of the young man, whose talents, many compared to that of the late Rasheed Yekini.
However,It was not an easy journey to the top for the Eagles striker, but hard work and determination must have played a big role in his rise to the zenith.
In this chat with Coach Jonas Ebube Chukwu, the grassroots coach, who discovered Emenike many years ago, he spoke on the character of his prodigy, whom he said trekked long distances to train daily. He also spoke on his relationship with the star since he was first introduced to him many years ago, and what he expected of him in Brazil.
Because of Emenike, many people like to call you the coach with a Midas touch?
Yes ooo my brother. I am happy for the young man. He is doing quite well and I know he would do well for Nigeria and for himself at the world cup that is coming up in Brazil. In fact I am praying for him and for Nigeria because the time is crucial.
How did you meet Emenike in the first place?
Before I tell you this story, I think I should first of all introduce myself. My interest in the round leather game started many years ago.
I started my soccer career by playing for Aba Bombers. From Aba, I went to Owerri, where I played with Mavis FC where I was in the same team with former Super Eagles Captain, Kanu Nwankwo. I then left Imo State forLagos and joined Presco FC, Ikeja, Lagos where I got a knee injury at Agege Stadium while playing in the finals of the Manufacturers Cup 1992. When I realised that my playing days were seemingly over, I enrolled with the YSFON and got their coaching cert ificate and took off as a coach.
The first team I coached was Akunwanne Babes. The success of this team which was supported by a philanthropist made me popular. I took this team from glory to glory in the Lagos grassroots soccer league. That team gave me the nickname I still bear until today. I went on to coach Eko XI and later, Red Tigers FC of Isolo, Lagos in 1995.
So how was the meeting with Emenike; you still owe the reader that part…,?
It was sometime in 2002 that the captain of my team named Eduzor brought Emmanuel Emenike and introduced him as his friend, who came from Port Harcourt and would love to join the team. At that time, he was that little skinny young man that was not very fantastic but had the zeal to learn and was very extra disciplined. I discovered that he had the passion for the game and was determined to grow so I first started him out by leading him to play a supporting role for my main striker at that time named Onyema. I recall that he often complained of trekking to training from a far distance of Ijegun to Okota in Isolo, Lagos where we were based. Yet he arrived on time for training even earlier than some of the players who lived close to our training pitch. He started to pick up fast and dramatically he started to excel beyond expectation. I feel good when I see the transformation of that skinny young man into a full blown bulldozer at No. 9, causing nightmares to defenders. God will be with him and all members of Super Eagles in Brazil I pray.
A lot has been said about how he went international; what details do you recall?
I recall that a notable Nigerian player and manager organised for some players including Emenike to travel for trials in South Africa. It was at that period that Coach Okey Emordi was in South Africa and was one of the contact persons to assist. Incidentally, news of the dramatic and sudden sack of Emordi by his South African team circulated causing most of these players to decline travelling. One or two even discredited the move, saying they were only interested in traveling to Europe and not Africa. Emenike grabbed the offer, especially when he sought my advice on whether to go or not. I advised him to go since he had told me that he had a relation in South Africa to stay with. When he got to South Africa, he was told to wait for the next season since what he had gone for had expired. He also called for my advice and I told him to hang on. Then he resumed training like we were doing here. He found a pitch to train daily fully determined that he would excel someday. One thing led to another that he joined a Division 2 team over there. It was while playing for that team that an agent with a bigger profile saw him and he got an offer that eventually took him to Europe where the rest had become history as they say. I am not claiming that this is all about him but the part that I know of.
What has been your relationship with him since he moved to Europe and met success?
My relationship with Emenike has been intact ever since he became big. We have a very cordial relationship beyond measures. Emenike makes me very proud and I am very proud of him. Whenever he is in Nigeria, he comes to train with us and calls me from time to time for advice and more. I am currently the Technical Adviser and manager of Royal Atlantic FC better known as Emenike Babes because of his support for the team. He is a good son who has not forgotten his roots and I trust and pray that he will excel in Brazil during the world cup tournament. What other prayer should I offer for my boy in this age when you often hear stories of successful people who forget their roots or even those who supported them in their rise to the top? But my story with Emenike is different and I feel very proud to say it. Even his team mates who have not made it still speak about him positively as he is always in touch and connecting with them privately. If he plays well in Brazil, more goodies will follow him, better teams will come his way and I know it shall be well with me.
Again, It will interest you to know that we just took delivery of two sets of Jerseys and ten balls for our training and matches. Emenike kitted us.
That Super Eagles striker, Emmanuel Emenike made Coach Stephen Keshi’s list of the contingent to the world cup beginning in Brazil tomorrow was no surprise to many, who have followed the meteoric rise of the young man, whose talents, many compared to that of the late Rasheed Yekini.
However,It was not an easy journey to the top for the Eagles striker, but hard work and determination must have played a big role in his rise to the zenith.
In this chat with Coach Jonas Ebube Chukwu, the grassroots coach, who discovered Emenike many years ago, he spoke on the character of his prodigy, whom he said trekked long distances to train daily. He also spoke on his relationship with the star since he was first introduced to him many years ago, and what he expected of him in Brazil.
Because of Emenike, many people like to call you the coach with a Midas touch?
Yes ooo my brother. I am happy for the young man. He is doing quite well and I know he would do well for Nigeria and for himself at the world cup that is coming up in Brazil. In fact I am praying for him and for Nigeria because the time is crucial.
How did you meet Emenike in the first place?
Before I tell you this story, I think I should first of all introduce myself. My interest in the round leather game started many years ago.
I started my soccer career by playing for Aba Bombers. From Aba, I went to Owerri, where I played with Mavis FC where I was in the same team with former Super Eagles Captain, Kanu Nwankwo. I then left Imo State forLagos and joined Presco FC, Ikeja, Lagos where I got a knee injury at Agege Stadium while playing in the finals of the Manufacturers Cup 1992. When I realised that my playing days were seemingly over, I enrolled with the YSFON and got their coaching cert ificate and took off as a coach.
The first team I coached was Akunwanne Babes. The success of this team which was supported by a philanthropist made me popular. I took this team from glory to glory in the Lagos grassroots soccer league. That team gave me the nickname I still bear until today. I went on to coach Eko XI and later, Red Tigers FC of Isolo, Lagos in 1995.
So how was the meeting with Emenike; you still owe the reader that part…,?
It was sometime in 2002 that the captain of my team named Eduzor brought Emmanuel Emenike and introduced him as his friend, who came from Port Harcourt and would love to join the team. At that time, he was that little skinny young man that was not very fantastic but had the zeal to learn and was very extra disciplined. I discovered that he had the passion for the game and was determined to grow so I first started him out by leading him to play a supporting role for my main striker at that time named Onyema. I recall that he often complained of trekking to training from a far distance of Ijegun to Okota in Isolo, Lagos where we were based. Yet he arrived on time for training even earlier than some of the players who lived close to our training pitch. He started to pick up fast and dramatically he started to excel beyond expectation. I feel good when I see the transformation of that skinny young man into a full blown bulldozer at No. 9, causing nightmares to defenders. God will be with him and all members of Super Eagles in Brazil I pray.
A lot has been said about how he went international; what details do you recall?
I recall that a notable Nigerian player and manager organised for some players including Emenike to travel for trials in South Africa. It was at that period that Coach Okey Emordi was in South Africa and was one of the contact persons to assist. Incidentally, news of the dramatic and sudden sack of Emordi by his South African team circulated causing most of these players to decline travelling. One or two even discredited the move, saying they were only interested in traveling to Europe and not Africa. Emenike grabbed the offer, especially when he sought my advice on whether to go or not. I advised him to go since he had told me that he had a relation in South Africa to stay with. When he got to South Africa, he was told to wait for the next season since what he had gone for had expired. He also called for my advice and I told him to hang on. Then he resumed training like we were doing here. He found a pitch to train daily fully determined that he would excel someday. One thing led to another that he joined a Division 2 team over there. It was while playing for that team that an agent with a bigger profile saw him and he got an offer that eventually took him to Europe where the rest had become history as they say. I am not claiming that this is all about him but the part that I know of.
What has been your relationship with him since he moved to Europe and met success?
My relationship with Emenike has been intact ever since he became big. We have a very cordial relationship beyond measures. Emenike makes me very proud and I am very proud of him. Whenever he is in Nigeria, he comes to train with us and calls me from time to time for advice and more. I am currently the Technical Adviser and manager of Royal Atlantic FC better known as Emenike Babes because of his support for the team. He is a good son who has not forgotten his roots and I trust and pray that he will excel in Brazil during the world cup tournament. What other prayer should I offer for my boy in this age when you often hear stories of successful people who forget their roots or even those who supported them in their rise to the top? But my story with Emenike is different and I feel very proud to say it. Even his team mates who have not made it still speak about him positively as he is always in touch and connecting with them privately. If he plays well in Brazil, more goodies will follow him, better teams will come his way and I know it shall be well with me.
Again, It will interest you to know that we just took delivery of two sets of Jerseys and ten balls for our training and matches. Emenike kitted us.
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