Super Eagles striker, Emmanuel Emenike, will undergo an arthroscopic surgery in the coming days on his knee after he damaged his internal meniscus lateral ligament on his return from a two-month injury layoff in Spatak Moscow's 2-0 win over Anzhi Makhachkala on Sunday.
The Africa Cup of Nations top scorer who suffered a muscle tear in the semi-final match against Mali at the 2013 Africa Nations Cup in South Africa was examined by his club doctors yesterday morning and they ruled him out of action till the end of the season.
This means he will miss Nigeria’s 2014 World Cup qualifiers against Kenya and Namibia and the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup in June.
According to the Spartak Moscow's legendary midfielder, Yegor Titov, Emenike's injury looks like a cruciate ligament rupture but was quick to add that his muscles were not ready when he was rushed back.
"I am sure that this is a serious injury 99%. This is a cruciate ligament rupture," he began.
"We lost him for a long time; apparently, his muscles were not ready yet. He was not very confident on his feet and the way I saw it, it was evident that it was a serious injury.
"When he was being taken off through the stretcher, it was obvious that he was in serious pain. I once had the same type injury and I can distinctly remember the piercing pain," he concluded.
Meanwhile, Emenike himself told MTNFootball that he is devastated that he has again been sidelined.
“I felt bad that I have to go back to the sidelines immediately I returned to action but I have accepted it as another fear to conquer."
"My club have also supported me to bounce back next season after I was told I will be out for two months."
The power-playing striker gave more details as regards his latest injury woes in Sunday’s league match against Anzhi, which Spartak won 2-0."
”I actually wanted to take a shot before an opponent put his leg and that happened to be on my knee. I was hurt but sometimes such things happen. The most important thing is to remain focused and I wouldn't blame the player for the tackle, that is football.”
"As it is now, I will be out of national assignments, it hurts but I have no choice. I have to focus on my recovery for next season."
"It is frustrating but I am learning from the injury problems. I will be back and better when I return," he lamented.
The former Karabukspor hit-man also backed his club to book a UEFA Europa League ticket in his absence.
"I believe they can win the remaining four fixtures and book a place in the Europa League. They have been wonderful in my absence and I believe they will keep the momentum again.”
