- Emmanuel Emenike visits Newcastle United
- FIFA cult hero stopped by Magpies fans
- Striker shocked to be recognised on Tyneside
Ex-Nigeria footballer and FIFA legend Emmanuel Emenike was left lost for words when recognised outside Newcastle United stadium St James’ Park this week.
The Magpies would love to see a new talisman arrive on Tyneside this summer after the £100 million and more spent on the duo of Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa has not lived up to expectations.
Woltemade and Wissa were brought in to replace the goals lost through the sale of Alexander Isak to Liverpool but it’s been a campaign without bite for Eddie Howe’s side.
Emmanuel Emenike visits Newcastle United
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39-year-old Emenike, who hung up his boots in 2019, certainly won’t be the answer to that problem but it didn’t stop Newcastle supporters’ excitement to see the player.
The striker shared a video online of him meeting a group of Magpies fans outside St James’ Park in a clip which has gone somewhat viral on Thursday.
Emenike wrote: “I wasn’t expecting to be known in Newcastle, as you can see, I looked lost.”
The forward made a name for himself at Spartak Moscow and Fenerbahce, as well as with the Nigerian national side. Emenike won the Africa Cup of Nations with Nigeria in 2013, collecting the Golden Boot in that tournament.
Emenike remembered for cult FIFA reputation
The player did have a brief spell in the Premier League, when on loan at West Ham for half of the season in 2016. His only goals came in a brace against Blackburn Rovers in the FA Cup.
Emenike’s name exists in football folklore largely thanks to his cult reputation as somewhat of a ‘beast’ on FIFA. The striker’s card with 90 pace was highly sought after and loved famously by YouTube KSI.
Replying to the video online, one user wrote ‘you’re known globally legend’ and another said ‘Emenike, such a good word to say in a Geordie accent’.
Even former West Brom and Cardiff City striker Peter Odemwingie was in the comments and said: “You felt the love indeed bro.”
In other news, William Osula ‘fresh trim’ steals show as Newcastle United star wins Player of the Month.
