Injured Emmanuel Emenike has promised a $50,000 reward to the Super Eagles should they qualify for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
Nigeria presently ranks first with five points from three matches in a qualifying group that have Malawi, Kenya and Namibia.
The Spartak Moscow striker who has been ruled out of next month’s World Cup qualifier in Kenya and Namibia due to a recent knee injury, claims he has been a long- time Super Eagles fan before making his debut in 2011 against Sierra Leone in Lagos.
“I promise the whole team $50,000 if they qualify for the World Cup in Brazil,” Emenike disclosed this to MTNFootball.com.
“Like I said before that we have a team who can make this country proud, and I am doing this from the bottom of my heart just to motivate the team. I am not doing this to intimidate anybody but just to show my total support to the team because I grew up supporting the Super Eagles.
“I am really behind the team. I don’t want them to miss me because there are other players who can get them the goals,” the striker added.
“Before I decided to play for Nigeria, even before I dreamt of becoming a professional footballer, which I am today by God’s grace, I have been a passionate fan of the Super Eagles.
“I could remember when I used to watch the team way back in 1994 Nations Cup and World Cup, and I am speaking today as a Super Eagles player, it is a great honour, so the team means a lot to me and that is why I deem it fit to support the team in my little way.
“I never knew I will play for Nigeria. This is a reward for what I have done in Europe and it is time I supported my country even more.”
Emenike will be looking forward to emulating the likes of his friend Samuel Eto’o, George Weah and Mohammed Kallon, who have financed their various national teams from their pockets.
“I thank God that I am adding another year. I live today by the grace of God, I am nothing without Him,” Emenike said.
“When I look back at the beginning of my journey way back in Nigeria, I discover that I have every reason to be because he has been wonderful in my life. I count myself lucky to be where I am today.
“I must also give kudos to my parents who brought me into this world; they are great parents for life. I thank them for giving me all the necessary backing in my career.”
