Nigeria striker, Emmanuel Emenike, has announced his retirement from international football on Monday after five years of service.
The Fenerbahce striker on loan at UAE side Al Ain joins former skipper, Vincent Enyeama, on the retiree list - after making his decision not to play for the Super Eagles public via social media platform Instagram.
Emenike's decision to quit the Eagles will come as a surprise to many with coach Sunday Oliseh placing his faith on the player despite his lengthy goal drought at national level.
The 28-year-old striker who was top scorer at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa, revealed that his reason for retiring abruptly was for "national peace".
“No more Eagles career! After five great years, I am happy to announce that I have put full-stop to my national team career for the sake of national peace,” the striker wrote on Instagram.
“It’s a pleasure for me to have played for this great country. I never regretted it and I think it’s the best time to end it. Million thanks to all the fans who have been very supportive during the good and bad times.
“I am very proud of my performance, I am proud of my team mates and I am very proud of the nation called ‘Nigeria’. My AFCON gold medal is a sign of great achievement, my AFCON topscorer award speaks a lot about my commitment and dedication to the team," he added.
Emenike's sudden action might not be unconnected to the recent spat between Oliseh and Enyeama, with the latter being stripped of his captaincy.
The gaffer's decision to install Ahmed Musa as captain in place of the Lille goalkeeper didn't go down well among the senior players - with John Obi Mikel earlier turning down the opportunity to deputize for Musa.
"Super Eagles is a camp not a family house, and it shouldn’t be a threat zone for any individual,” he lamented.
Emenike made his debut for Nigeria against Sierra Leone and went on to make 36 other appearances scoring nine times in the process.
The Super Eagles will take on Egypt in a 2017 African Cup of Nations qualifier at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna, on March 23, 2016.
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