The football great suggests he was quoted out of context in the video that has thrown social media into a frenzy
Former Barcelona winger, Emmanuel Amuneke, has cleared the air on his choice of Mohamed Salah over Victor Osimhen when African legends were asked about their pick for the 2023 African Player of the Year crown, Soccernet.ng reports.
In the viral video posted on CAF’s social media handles prior to the announcement, the former Super Eagles forward voiced his preference for the Egypt and Liverpool star.
That sparked a backlash among Nigerians as the 52-year-old was tagged as ‘unpatriotic’ while some felt he was being envious of the Napoli star – who emerged as Africa’s best having overcome Salah and Morocco star Achraf Hakimi.
Amid the rage, Amuneke had little patience with the undermining comments from his countrymen, while insinuating that he was quoted out of context.
“Good morning house, I want to use this opportunity to clear what some of you are saying in this platform. With all due respect to every one of you that I owe with high regard,” the 1994 African Player of the Year said on Nigerian Sports Village Square moderated by veteran journalist Osasu Obayiuwana.
“First of all, I want you to understand the rumours that you guys are [spreading] concerning me not voting Osimhen. I was never elected to vote.
“On our way to the novelty game that we played in Marrakech here, a former player and captain of the Egyptian national team – who is preparing himself to become a TV producer in Egypt – with his group, he was debating on the Arabian team, and he raised the question between Hakimi and Salah.
“There was a time Osimhen was mentioned in that discussion. He came to me and asked ‘Hakimi or Salah’. I have to say Salah. And the reason why I said Salah was because I played in Egypt, I lived in Egypt and I know some of the guys there.”
For context, Osimhen was part of Amuneke’s Nigeria U17 squad that won the 2015 FIFA U17 World Cup. There, the Lagos-born goal machine scooped the Golden Boot and Silver Ball honours.
Amuneke continued: “So, there is nothing like voting against Osimhen. Osimhen is our player and our boy. We are happy about what he has achieved, and we hope he would continue to dream and achieve more for the betterment of his career and the betterment of Nigeria.
“It has come to a time in our culture in Nigeria – with all due respect to you guys, we should stop spreading false news and stop creating false impressions among the people. We are journalists, and our responsibility is to inform the public what is right.”
Osimhen, 24, scored 31 goals in 39 matches for the Italian side last season as they won their first Serie A title since 1990.
He joins Rasheed Yekini, Amuneke, Nwankwo Kanu and Victor Ikpeba in the hallowed ranks of Nigerians to have claimed the award.
This post was last modified on December 12, 2023 11:04 am
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Honestly, this is my issue with Nigerians. We didn't value ourselves and especially appreciate hardwork.
who on earth believe Napoli will ever win the title. Can you compare the Liverpool squad to Napoli? I can assure you that if Osimeh plays Mo Salah role in Liverpool, the result will be mind-blowing.
Amuneke should stop talking nonsense
Wow! We all need to calm down now: Salah plays as an inverted winger for Liverpool(left footed winger playing from the right) and Osimhen is an out and out striker. Salah sometimes plays down the middle though. They are different types of players and him playing Osimhen's role is rather disingenuous. Let's all enjoy the game okay, and leave controversial talking points behind. Amuneke by the way never said anything bad about Osimhen if you read the article well.
Good point my brother
You are the one who is speaking nonsense because you did not read Amuneke's reply. Rubbish
brother man, get the point right. amunike didn't not vote he was as a question about hakimi or sallah and he said sallah osimhem was not part of the options given to him moreover even if osimhem was part of the options, he has the right to choose whoever he wishes to choose
May friend trade with caution stop misinforming the public Amuneke was talking about Hakimi and sallah and he picked salla.. So why are you talking rubbish? Please apologize to Amuneke now so that God will forgive you
Liar! Mr Emmanuel Amunike, Now that they have got you in a corner, you are now looking for excuses to bail yourself out.
If it was true that you were asked your choice between Salah and Hakmi, why were others voting Osimhen and you voting Salah and you were all inside the same bus?
Mr Amunike I never believed you are this unpatriotic. The same Osimhen you discovered and nurtured yet you never valued at the critical moment he needed your vote.
Shame on you!!!! You have all the respect I had for you are gone!
Same question I asked myself...when others were mentioning Osimhen, you were voting Salah in the same bus....he has been boxed in a corner and exposed for who he is....and looking for ways to get out....After thought.....It is really a shame..... Amunike is a liar, petty and parochial....The more reason he should never be appointed to coach the Super Eagles. Very flimsy....
did u even hear dat he did nt vote at all
Please let's respect this man. He was the one that brought Osimhen to limelight (Osimhen himself said so in his speech). I wanted Osimhen to win but I was thinking Hakimi would win it. that does not mean I voted for Hakimi. Why do people think he's envious of the boy, for what na? I tire for Nigerians sha.
I think Coach Amuneke was actually quoted out of context, remember,Oshimhen is his product and he will definitely want the best for his compatriot
Amuneke is a lie,I don’t trust him anymore for super eagle job
Mr Emmanuel Amunike: whether victor Osimhen is deserve or not we love him and chose him Nija is our blood
Amunike has cleared the air, let's respect his views. no further condemnation pls.
I hope all of you who are criticizing Amuneke have seen his response. Osimene wasn't in the discussion
who are the confuse people who cannot just read his response first before spewing trash?
The man said he was given an opportunity to choose between two players. Mohamed Salah and Aschraf Hakimi and he said Mohamed Salah so what is the point attacking this man? I'm not a Nigerian though this is unfortunate. We should respect this man he raised the flag of Nigeria and Africa for that matter high before.
Can Baba air his view any longer. He was not chosen to be vote. All he did was an interview which Osimhen was not part of the variables.
Please let's respect elders.