New Al Ain man Emenike promises to thrive on pressure of replacing Gyan

Matt Jones - Editor 06:48 11/07/2015
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Emmanuel Emenike has backed himself to thrive at Al Ain.

    New Al Ain signing Emmanuel Emenike does not strike you as the sort of player lacking in confidence.

    When asked if he felt burdened by replacing Asamoah Gyan at the Boss, a striker who finished as Arabian Gulf League top scorer for three of the four seasons he played in the UAE, the 28-year-old was quick to highlight that he played a big part in Nigeria’s 2013 African Cup of Nations success.

    The 28-year-old was the tournament’s joint top scorer with four goals, while Gyan’s Ghana exited in the semi-finals.

    Emenike was unveiled by the club at a press conference last night after agreeing a one-year loan deal from Istanbul giants Fenerbahce.

    He says he feels no pressure following in the footsteps of Gyan, whose injury plagued 2014/15 campaign and the red-hot form of Al Jazira striker Mirko Vucinic robbed him of a fourth straight AGL top goal scorer award.

    “Gyan is a very good player and I’m here to replace him. I hope I do well,” said Emenike. “Replacing him doesn’t worry me. He has achieved a lot in his career but I have also achieved a lot. I’ve won the African Cup of Nations.”

    – #360transfers: Villa captain Delph set for Man City move
    – #360view: Right time for RVP to leave Manchester United
    – Premier League: Henderson named new Liverpool captain

    Emenike rose to prominence with Karabukspor firing them to Super Lig promotion in 2009/10 with 16 goals, adding another 14 in the top flight a year later before Fenerbahce came calling.

    He was loaned out straight away to Spartak Moscow, where he spent three seasons, scoring 21 goals in 42 appearances, notching 12 goals in his first full season at the Otkrytie Arena in 2013/14.

    He did not enjoy the best of Super Lig seasons last year, scoring just four times as the Yellow Canaries finished runners-up to capital city rivals Galatasaray.

    The striker says he has come to the UAE determined to fire the Boss to more trophies, having recaptured their AGL title last season after finishing nine points ahead of second-placed Al Jazira, as well as winning the President’s Cup.

    “I’ve scored goals and I’ve won trophies in Turkey,” said Emenike. “Last season was not really the best season for me but I think I made a big impact in other ways, like making assists, as well as scoring a few goals.

    “I’m here to win more trophies, by the grace of god. This club is known as a winning club so I’m here to achieve good things and win more trophies in my career.”

    Emenike also admitted that he relishes the opportunity to play alongside supremely gifted Al Ain and UAE playmaker, Omar Abdulrahman, revealing ‘Amoori’ was a major factor behind his move.

    “It will be great to play with a player like him because he is a great player, a great midfielder,” said the Super Eagles international.

    “I’ve watched a few games and in most of them he gave a lot of good passes to Gyan so I think he’s a good midfielder, who has great vision, and I think I will work really well with him. We will work hard in training to see how we’re going to play together.” 

    Recommended