Forgotten Super Eagle Emmanuel Dennis explains why he flopped in Germany

In an interview with Belgian outfit Het Nieuwsbald Dennis, who was omitted from the latest Super Eagles squad set to battle Liberia and Cape Verde in 2022 FIFA World Qualifying, admitted that he feels guilty about what transpired at the RheinEnergieStadion, but added that he struggled with mental and injury problems.

“I am glad that they (Koln) stayed [up], but I feel guilty because I couldn’t help the club,” Dennis stated.

He joined the relegation-threatened side in January 2021 on a six-month loan deal worth 1.2 million euros from Belgian outfit Club Brugge after some impressive performances in the Champions League that season.

Dennis was seen as the answer to the Billy Goats’ problems in front of goal, and the man to fire them to safety. However, things soon turned sour for both parties, as the 23-year-old found himself on the bench after a poor run of form that saw him score just once in 10 competitive outings for the Bundesliga club.

He was criticized by both then manager Markus Gisdol, who benched him at the time and said in March that he wasn’t satisfied with his overall performance, and then Sporting Director Horst Heldt, who was disappointed by the attitude of the Nigerian.

But Dennis has come out to defend himself, citing a combination of mental and injury problems.

“I was tired of Belgium and had no more fun. I was dead in the head, completely dead. The worst thing was that I took this bad feeling with me to Germany in January. I had mental problems when I was loaned to Koln.”

It will be recalled that, in December, Dennis was given compassionate leave by his club Club Brugge after the forward lost his brother in a boat mishap during a tournament for sailors in Lagos. 

The talented young forward has since joined English Premier League side Watford, where he has been impressive for the Hornets with three goals and three assists to his name.