By 
Habeeb Ibrahim
Emmanuel Amunike, the 1994 Africa Footballer of the Year, has expressed his disappointment and frustration after being overlooked by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for the Super Eagles head coach position, which was instead given to his former teammate Finidi George.
Amunike believes that certain football officials in the country, with whom he has had previous conflicts, manipulated him out of the position, according to a report by The Punch. He stated, “They succeeded in smearing my name in the media because of the Eagles job.
“They can continue with their propaganda, but I will remain disciplined. It’s not a do-or-die job. All those allegations made in the media online because of the Eagles’ job are obviously not true, but those who recommended candidates for the job know I will not be easily bullied.”
Amunike, who has coached clubs in Saudi Arabia, Sudan, and Egypt, as well as led Nigeria’s Under 17 team to win the FIFA U17 World Cup and Tanzania to the 2019 AFCON, feels that his resume was overlooked due to personal grudges. He added, “I know there is still bad blood with these officials, but it’s fine.”
When asked about the NFF’s decision to appoint Finidi George, who served as Jose Peseiro’s right-hand man, Amunike said, “They claimed it was due to the need for continuity, but I believe there was more to it than that.”
In response to the allegations made against him in the media, Amunike stated, “I will not be easily bullied. I know there are misleading reports in the media, and I hope those responsible will investigate and clear my name.”
