It took the intervention of some other players when former Chelsea player Mikel Obi and ex-Super Eagles striker, Emmanuel Emenike exchanged words in Super Eagles hotel in Russia at the 2018 FIFA World Cup over the sharing formula of tournament appearance fee to be shared by the players.
ThePAPER exclusively gathered that Emenike opted out ‘cheating’ plan by the senior players who felt they could not be on the equal amount with the younger and newly invited players in the team.
One of the players at the FIFA World Cup who spoke to ThePAPERS on the condition of anonymity said Emenike is a better legend than a football analyst who criticized players in the studio.
His words:
“Mikel wanted the money to be shared according to seniority and qualifications appearances but Emenike kicked against such an arrangement by some senior players led by Mikel Obi. The guy destroyed their plans and walked out of their secret meeting. Emenike was reasonable because some players might not even get part of the money should Mikel and co succeed with their plans because some new players who were invited by Keshi to the World Cup might not get a dollar. But Emenike was furious and told Mikel to his face that he was a wicked and greedy person despite all the money he received from Chelsea every week. They almost exchange blows.
“The younger players in the team like Babatunde Michael, Ramon Azeez and five other guys could be affected if the plan succeeded but Emenike asked them how can hese boys go back to Nigeria without buying substantial things for the sake of the World Cup. Emenike was mad and he caused serious unrest in the hotel that night until Keshi came out and some NFF officials to talk to them. And that’s how those buys got paid like every other person, even though the likes of Yobo and Mikel took some larger part as senior players indeed “
“After the tournament, Babatunde Michael and some junior players visited Emenike in his house to stand for them.”
Meanwhile, the rivalry between the two players did start in 2018, two days to the World Cup in 2014, there was tension brewing between the two stars – former Fenerbahce attacker Emmanuel Emenike and John Obi Mikel of Chelsea.
A top source, who pleaded anonymity, told allnigeriasoccer.com: “The problem between Emenike and Mikel did not start at their USA camp. Emenike earns a lot of money but Mikel thinks he is a bigger player. Mikel is very arrogant and Emenike does not have time for him.
“After the World Cup qualifier against Ethiopia in Addis Ababa, Emenike, Nosa and Ogenyi Onazi were not happy with Mikel. Emenike was very provoked after the game. Both players almost fought at the African Cup of Nations too.
“Mikel was not making the game flow, he was losing possession easily and he was not passing.”
It took the intervention of the late Super Eagles coach, Stephen to play the role of a father in settling a dispute between the two senior players.
