Emenike facing fitness battle

Emenike made his international debut against Sierra Leone

Nigeria striker Emmanuel Emenike is facing a battle to be fit for a crucial 2012 Nations Cup qualifier in March against Ethiopia.

The 23-year-old hobbled off during the first half of his Super Eagles’ debut in the 2-1 friendly win over Sierra Leone on 9 February.

The Karabükspor of Turkey forward was ruled out for six weeks and is now receiving treatment on the troubled knee.

“It was terrible but I am getting better each day,” Emenike told BBC Sport.

“A [Sierra Leone] player caught me during the game.

“I have a strap on it now but hopefully that should be taken off in a couple of days.

“There is a strong possibility that I will be fit enough to play the game in March,” he added.

Samson Siasia, Super Eagles coach and the man who persuaded Emenike to commit his international future to Nigeria also hopes the player will be fit for the game.

“I will be very happy if he is available for the match.” Siasia said.

“He impressed me against Sierra Leone despite being stretchered out during the game.”

Relatively unknown back home, Emenike starred in South Africa for Mpumalanga Black Aces and FC Cape Town, before joining Kardemir Karabükspor in the Turkish second division in 2009.

On the back of his 16 goals last season, Karabükspor won promotion to the top flight and he is into double figures this season.

The Turkish Football Federation had in November 2010 expressed their interest in having him play for the Turkish national team.

But Siasia, in need of a prolific goal scorer, met him late last year and was able to convince the player to play for Nigeria instead of Turkey.