Eagles Gaffer in Waiting?

Emmanuel Amuneke

If there is one man that has never been shy to throw his hat into the ring as far as the Super Eagles’ job is concerned, it is former Nigeria International, Emmanuel Amuneke, even when the seat was not vacant. With the Nigeria’s senior football team’s coaching job now thrown open and over 10 applicants having shown interest, will the egg heads of the  Sunday Dankaro House look in the direction of the former Barcelona winger and fans favourite?  

Talk of paper qualifications, Emmanuel Amuneke has it- a UEFA Pro License as well as the UEFA ‘A’ and ‘B’ coaching badges. The UEFA Pro Licence is the final coaching qualification available after the completion of the UEFA ‘B’ and ‘A’ Licenses. He is not lacking in experience either- led Nigeria to U17 World Cup victory and qualified Tanzania to 2019 AFCON after 39 years absence.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), recently declared the Super Eagles coaching job vacant following the exit of Jose Peseiro, after  the Portuguese led Nigeria to a second place finish at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, but his tenure was marred by controversies and criticisms.

His contract expired at the end of that tournament, and he could not agree with the NFF on an extension, hence his departure.

Director of the NFF’s Technical Department, Augustine Eguavoen, has been named the Super Eagles interim manager until a new coach is appointed. Meanwhile, former Nigeria international, Emmanuel Amuneke, has expressed interest in the vacant job.

Though several other names including Sunday Oliseh, Samson Siasia and George Finidi, are making the rounds as the potential successor to Peseiro.

Though being successful as a player does not necessarily translate to success as a coach, but the former Benfica payer has tasted success too in his stint as a coach. Amuneke is one of the few Nigerian players who enjoyed success on both the African scene and the European stage.

In three years at Egyptian giants, Zamalek, Amuneke won two Premier League titles, the 1993 African Cup of Champions Clubs and the CAF Super Cup.

He was the only player in Nigeria’s 22-man squad to the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations, which the Super Eagles won, who was not playing in Europe or the domestic league or unattached, but the winger was too exciting to be left out. He scored two goals in the final of the 1994 AFCON that handed Nigeria the title, and it was good enough to earn him the Africa Footballer of the Year award.

Amuneke also bagged two goals in Nigeria’s first appearance at the World Cup in the United States.

Amuneke moved to Portugal after leaving Egypt and excelled there as well, helping Sporting to lift the Taça de Portugal in 1995.

He moved to Barcelona in 1996 and became the first Nigerian to play for the Catalans’ senior team. Injury stopped him from playing his best football in Spain, but he still won the Copa del Rey with Barcelona.

Again, Amuneke was Nigeria’s hero at the Olympic Games in Atlanta when he scored the winning goal in the 3-2 victory over Argentina in the final.

The former Barcelona ace was an excellent player who gave his all for his country.

Admittedly, great players do not always make great coaches.

Amuneke is, however, an excellent coach. After an injury forced him out of football earlier than he would have liked, Amuneke decided straightaway that the next chapter of his career would be written of him as a coach.

After passing his coaching courses, Amuneke handled some youth teams in Spain and a few top clubs in Saudi Arabia and Nigeria before he was named the head coach of the Golden Eaglets in 2014.

Amuneke put together arguably the best Golden Eaglets squad in Nigeria’s history and led them to win the 2015 FIFA U17 World Cup. His team scored the most goals at the tournament; Victor Osimhen hit a record 10 goals, Kelechi Nwakali was named the best player, while Samuel Chukwueze and Kingsley Michael also impressed. All four have gone on to play for the Super Eagles.

Amuneke stepped up to senior coaching when he was named the head coach of the Tanzania national team on 6 August 2018.

Tanzania had not qualified for the AFCON since 1980. Amuneke got the Taifa Stars shine sparkling again and helped them seal qualification to the 2019 AFCON after 39 years. He ended that adventure after Tanzania failed to pick up a point at the tournament held in Egypt.

Amuneke has received a strong endorsement from Jo Bonfrere, a former technical adviser of the Super Eagles.

Bonfrere coached Nigeria to their first Olympic gold medal in 1996 and also reached the final of the 2000 Africa Cup of Nations. One of the threats to Amuneke’s appointment is Portuguese tactician, Antonio Conceicao, who has reportedly expressed interest in the role of Super Eagles coach.

The 62-year-old, who is also a close friend to Peseiro wants to be the next Super Eagles manager and has applied for the role, making it the second time the Portuguese is applying to be the Super Eagles coach.

In his previous attempt, he was beaten to it by Peseiro. Director of the NFF’s Technical Department, Augustine Eguavoen, has been named the Super Eagles interim manager until a new coach is appointed.

However, Amuneke is believed to top the list of coaches the Technical Committee of the NFF examined their resumes during their meeting in Abuja on Thursday.

Although the committee’s duty ends at recommending to the executive committee of the federation, the Ibrahim Gusau led board has the final say on who takes over the Super Eagles top position.

According to SCORENigeria, “This is a chance to give Amuneke a decent chance with the national team.

“Yes, he has been assistant coach at least twice, but now is the time to give him the team.”

Top officials of the NFF contacted last night declined to speak on the committee report, stressing that “we all wait for a formal announcement from the federation.”