AFCON

Former Tanzania coach Amuneke reacts to Super Eagles job offer

The former Nigerian international has an impressive CV just over a decade after switching playing for coaching

Ex-Barcelona winger Emmanuel Amuneke has responded to reports linking him with the vacant Super Eagles coaching job.

Officially, the senior national team is presently without a substantive head coach.

Augustine Eguavoen took over as interim boss when German tactician Gernot Rohr was sacked in December. But Eguavoen stepped down from that role immediately after the Eagles’ premature elimination from the Africa Cup of Nations, reverting to his position as the Technical Director of the Nigeria Football Federation.

The NFF had in late December announced the appointment of Portuguese manager Jose Peseiro, with the former Sporting Lisbon gaffer expected to take over after the Afcon.

But Peseiro is yet to be unveiled even with the Afcon concluded and Senegal emerging as champions of the continent.

It is looking increasingly unlikely that the Portuguese will become the Eagles’ head coach, with reports suggesting that Eguavoen has been offered the job permanently with Amuneke to support him.

But the former Zamalek forward has poured cold water on the stories, insisting that no one from the federation has contacted him concerning any offer.

“I’m not aware of any appointment with the Super Eagles or any job with the Nigerian government,” Amuneke told the Sun Sports.

“I just returned to my base in Spain from the CAF Technical Study Group duty at the Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon, and I read the story of my appointment from the Internet.

“I was in the team’s hotel in Cameroon countless times, and there was no time the appointment was discussed with me.

“Right now, nobody has contacted me, not even the NFF or the Sports Ministry. Until an offer is made, I will rather not talk on that.”

Amuneke began coaching in 2008 after bringing an end to a 13-year playing career.

The 51-year-old handled Julius Berger and Ocean Boys before taking charge of the Golden Eaglets, leading the cadet team to win the 2015 FIFA u-17 World Cup.

Amuneke then guided Tanzania to qualify for their second-ever appearance at the Afcon in Egypt 2019.

This post was last modified on %s = human-readable time difference 12:48 pm

Imhons Erons

View Comments

  • NFF should please appoint Amunike as the coach of the super eagles. Equavoen can work under Him as Assistant coach. We also need a good goalkeeper trainer like Ike Shuronmu and Vincent Enyeama

  • I'll prefer Amunike to be Super Eagles next coach and Peter Rufai as a goal keeper trainer instead of Alloy Agu who has no good goal keeping record. I pray NFF will put things right on time as we have a very restricted time to play Ghana.

Share
Published by
Imhons Erons

Recent Posts

Southampton coach Russell Martins issues Paul Onuachu update amid ACL injury fears

Southampton coach Russell Martin has allayed fears that Super Eagles striker Paul Onuachu suffered a… Read More

14 minutes ago

Augustine Eguavoen has my full support – Former Borussia Dortmund star

Former Super Eagles captain Sunday Oliseh has thrown his weight behind Augustine Eguavoen, who currently… Read More

8 hours ago

“He can’t do half of what Okocha did” – Former Nigeria International shades Iwobi, calls for gifted playmakers in Super Eagles squad

Former Super Eagles attacking midfielder, Etim Esin, has bemoaned the lack of creativity amongst the… Read More

8 hours ago

Onuachu impresses on full season debut, but Salah-inspired Liverpool down Southampton

Super Eagles striker Paul Onuachu started his first game of the season for Southampton, but… Read More

9 hours ago

What happens if he gets injured? – Former Nigeria midfielder laments Super Eagles over-reliance on Victor Osimhen

Former Super Eagles attacking midfielder, Etim Esin, has revealed the Super Eagles must reduce their… Read More

9 hours ago

“Perhaps the best player in the league” – Former Galatasaray superstar praises Osimhen after Bodrumspor display

Former Turkey striker Umit Karan has praised Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen for his performance… Read More

12 hours ago