Sports
Struggling’ Emenike gets Al Ain coach’s backing
In from Nifemi Daniel . . .
These are not the best times for Nigerian striker, Emmanuel Emenike, who is trying to overcome many issues as Al Ain coach, Zlatko Dalic urged the club’s supporters to exercise patience with the recently retired Super Eagles player.
Emenike who is on one-year loan move from Fenerbahce has scored six goals in eight matches, including two in August’s 4-2 Super Cup victory against Al Nasr but has been heavily criticised for his performances.
The former Nigerian international who recently announced his retirement was jeered by sections of the Al Ain support as he was substituted in Friday’s Arabian Gulf League encounter with Al Jazira.
“The last game we won Emenike was part of our victory. For me, he played very well, did a great job, but only missed scoring a goal,” the Al Ain coach said. “Maybe it was Emenike’s best performance for me. I know everyone expects more goals, expects him to be a replacement for Asamoah Gyan. As I told you on his first day, it’s not easy to replace Gyan.
Read also: Oliseh not reason I quit Super Eagles –Emenike
“I cannot be happy with the reaction of some people. We won, we played fantastic and some people criticised Emenike.
Please, our fans, be patient, give time, give everyone a chance, to me, to my team, to Emenike. It’s not easy, but we didn’t deserve this reaction, especially after the Jazira game. It was very bad.
“I understand our fans always want a fantastic performance, always five goals. It’s not possible. Please, support our team and our players will play better. In the last game, in front of 15,000 people, my players were fantastic. I expect it to always be like this and they support our team.
“If somebody needs criticism, criticise me, not my players. Because I put him in the team, I put him on the pitch, I will take everything on my back. But give support to my players.”
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