Fans mob EMENIKE at Lagos airport

•Family, friends stage party in his honour

Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) highest goal scorer Emmanuel Emenike (MON) was on Sunday night mobbed by fans at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos as he made to catch a flight to Spain for his club’s pre-season camp.
The striker arrived at the airport in Lagos, at about 10.30 pm in a BMW X6 car alongside close pal Ameobi Okeke, who is also a former U-17 international based in Russia, with police escort, to begin his pre-trip formalities when fans  besieged him for autographs.
The fans, including policemen, other security agents, struggled to take photographs with the Spartak Moscow star. They congratulated him on his feat at the AFCON, thus making it impossible for him to have an easy passage to the departure hall.
A particular fan, Henry Arinze, could not hide his appreciation of Emenike’s contributions to Nigeria’s success, when he hugged the Eagles star for over 10 minutes.
“I came all the way from Apapa just to see him. I was here on Saturday night till 11pm, I saw some of the players going back but I have been waiting to see Emenike; he made me win a bet of N50, 000 against Cote d’ Ivoire that he would score and so it happened,” Arinze said.

An excited Emenike, who gave out cash gifts and football boots to the fans, said: “I am happy for the support and love showed to me. Though it was expected, which was why I decided to come late to the airport, still you can see how excited the fans are about our success. It shows passion for the game here. My message to them is that I will make them happy anytime I come to represent the country and keep my scoring form for the team.”
 
It was gathered that Emenike’s parents celebrated the success of their son by throwing a party in his honour in their home in far Anambra State.
A ccording to his elder brother, Ebuka Emenike, the celebration was organised by his friends and family members to show their support for him for making them proud.
“I don’t regret the day I gave birth to him,” Emenike’s mother was quoted as saying.
“I thank God that I showed him support at the beginning, if not, I would not have been so proud as I am today. Above all, I will give thanks to God Almighty for what He has been doing in his career. I wish him the best of luck and more.”