President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Amaju Pinnick has slammed Super Eagles striker Emmanuel Emenike for the 'disrespectful' way he retired from the national team by announcing on social media even before informing the country's governing body.
The NFF supremo castigated the Fenerbahce loanee to Al Ain of UAE for taking to social media website Instagram to announce his retirement from the Nigeria national team.
The new came as a shock to many since he did not even inform the federation about his decision.
Reports had suggested Emenike would be left out of Nigeria's squad for next month's World Cup qualifier against Swaziland because he has not scored at international level for two years.
But Oliseh, who succeeded Stephen Keshi as coach in July, insisted there was no truth to the speculation.
However Emenike retired from the national team obviously in reaction to the reports but Pinnick says the striker should have been civil with the way he quit the Super Eagles.
Pinnick revealed that the 2013 African Cup of Nations top scorer has officially informed the Federation that he has drawn the curtain on his international career after four years.
“It was only yesterday I received a letter officially notifying me that he wants to retire from international football,” said Amaju Pinnick, according to Brila FM.
“If he did that without going to social media it would have been more appropriate and respectful.
“Rather than going on social media to announce your retirement; to us it was quite disrespectful to the Football Federation and family in Nigeria.”
Emenike is the second player to announce his retirement from Nigeria's senior squad this month, following Lille goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama - Nigeria's most-capped player - who quit after a much publicised row with coach Sunday Oliseh.
Oliseh was reportedly considering leaving out Emenike for next month's World Cup qualifier against Swaziland because he has not scored at international level for two years.
The former Spartak Moscow player, at Al Ain on loan from Turkish side Fenerbahce, has, however, featured in the first four matches since Oliseh took over from Steven Keshi.
Emenike made his international debut in a friendly against Sierra Leone in Lagos in February 2011 and was top scorer at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations, helping Nigeria lift the trophy.
He made 37 appearance for the Super Eagles and score nine goals.