The former Tanzania coach forged a Golden Eaglets side that had Samuel Chukwueze as one of its key players into world-beaters, and he is backing the youngster to go all the way to the top of the game.
Former Nigeria international Emmanuel Amuneke is pleased with the progress of Villarreal forward Chukwueze and hopes the 20-year-old can grow into a crucial player for one of Europe’s biggest clubs.
Amuneke and Chukwueze both worked together during the 2015 U-17 World Cup, where the Golden Eaglets lifted its fifth trophy at the tournament.
Chukwueze and Victor Osimhen were two of Nigeria’s finest youngsters that year with the Lille man going home with that tourney’s Golden Boot for scoring the most goals while the Villarreal winger made away with the Bronze Boot as the third-best.
Chukwueze has since flourished with the Yellow Submarines, becoming a La Liga sensation last season and consolidating on his rating during this campaign.
His stellar performances have seen him linked with a move to Premier League sides Chelsea and Liverpool.
Amuneke believes the youngster is developing well at Villarreal but insists that he can star at any of the big European clubs.
“Samuel Chukwueze, whom I was privileged to have coached in the U17’s, you can see how good he is and the team he finds himself. Villarreal is a team that likes to give young players opportunities to grow,” Amuneke told Goal.
“I am happy for him and hope he can do more.
“I hope he can be in a bigger club where Africans can enjoy him, not only in Nigeria because I believe whoever is playing in La Liga from Africa is representing Africa, and that is our joy.
“So it is good to see our players doing very well in La Liga week-in week-out. They are playing and contributing their part to the development of La Liga.”