Emmanuel Emenike is a Nigerian professional footballer and Super Eagles’ striker who plays club football for Fenerbahce football club in the Turkish league. Born on 10th May 1987 in Otuocha in Anambra state, South East Nigeria, Emmanuel’s journey to stardom saw him spent four difficult nights in a Turkish cell after he was accused of match fixing following his withdrawal from playing in a title-deciding march because of claims over injury.
Football Career
His early life in football started with Delta Force Football Club of Delta State, Nigeria. As a child in love with playing football, he would trek an hour and half distance from his home to his training venue. At this point in his life, he was basically playing football for the love of it, as he was not being paid for playing for the club, because the club was playing in the lowest cadre of the Nigerian football, plus there was no funding from the then government of Delta State. Despite this challenge, Emenike continued to play for the team until he joined Mpumalanga Black Aces of South Africa.
Mpumalanga Black Aces
After arriving at Mpumalanga Black Aces, things begin to shape up for him as he received his first salary as football when he began playing for his new team in January 2008. In his debut match for the team, Emenike announced his presence in South African football by scoring on his debut. In May 2008, he was signed by the First Division team, F.F.C. Cape Town.
Karabukspor
In 2009, Emenike penned a 1year loan deal with Karabukspor and netted 16 goals which eventually won the team a title and promotion to the top division. The 2009-10 season came to a close, and he was crowned the Best Foreign Player, and his contract was extended by three more years. In May 2011, he sued a Turkish newspaper for claiming his age was forged.
Fenerbahce & Spartak Moscow
As his profile continue to rise, he signed for the Turkish giants Fenerbahce on 25th May 2011, but he lasted just two months before he was sold to Spartak Moscow for 10 million Euros over allegations of match fixing in which his former club was involved. After two and half seasons in Russia, he was resigned by Fenerbahce for 10 million pounds and was loaned to Al Ain of Saudi Arabia in 2015 for one season. He returned to Fenerbahce upon the termination of his loan by Al Ain and he signed for West Ham United of England until the end of that season, with an option for a permanent deal.
Super Eagles
Emenike played an important role for the Super Eagles of Nigeria as a striker. He was part of the Eagles team that won the African Nations Cup in 2013, emerging the joint top scorer of the tournament with four goals. He retired from the National team on 20th October 2015.
Emmanuel Emenike Net Worth
Emmanuel Emenike is believed to be the richest Nigerian footballer as he has amassed huge wages playing for different clubs across Europe and the Middle East. He is believed to command a fortune near 16 billion Naira. Only Odion Ighalo and Mikel Obi are thought to be close to him on this list.
Source: Nyscinfo