Nigeria striker Emmanuel Emenike has dismissed as untrue a report claiming that he has converted to Islam from Christianity. The Fenerbahce striker was missing when the squad had breakfast on Saturday, prompting the manager to ask of his whereabouts and he responded by telling the coach he was fasting, this coincidentally is within the Muslim Ramadan fasting.
The former Spartak Moscow hit man told AfricanFootball.com he is baffled by the leaking of his personal life to the media.
"The report that I am now a Muslim is absolute rubbish and false. I want the source of the news to re-address it.
"I have no reason to convert to Islam even though I have lots of Muslim friends. Is there any big deal observing fasting during the (Muslim) fasting period?” he asked rhetorically.
"I am very disappointed seeing the news going viral because it is something I told my coach in our conversation when he asked me a question and never said I have become a Muslim.
"Fasting is not what everybody should know that you are doing and it’s very sad seeing this in the media."
Emenike further told AfricanFootball.com: "I am Catholic, a strong one for that matter, and I came from Christian home. I don't discriminate against anybody and I believe we are all equal in the presence of God, so what is the big deal in fasting?
“Does he know how many time I fast to get closer to God before the fasting periods? It's really sad because I don't see it as a big deal."
Emenike reportedly told his coach at Fenerbahce, Vitor Pereira, that he is now a Muslim which prompted the widespread reports.
According to the reports, the Super Eagles striker was missing when the squad had breakfast on Saturday, prompting the manager to ask his whereabouts.
“I’m fasting,” Emenike reportedly told Pereira, according to Turkish daily Fanatik.
Pereira replied: “You’re not a Muslim,” insisting that Emenike is a Christian.
In response, the former Spartak Moscow made it clear that “I became a Muslim, I am a Muslim.”
Emenike is yet to feature for the Turkish club in their two pre-season games so far.