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Super Eagles Legend Emmanuel Amunike picks Mohammed Salah over Victor Osimhen for CAF African Player of the Year Award
Super Eagles legend Emmanuel Amunike has come under heavy fire for opining that Mohammed Salah deserves the CAF Men's Player of the Year award ahead of his compatriot Victor Osimhen.
Osimhen has had a remarkable year for Napoli and the Super Eagles, and is believed to be the favourite for the prize, but Amuneke, who recorded 39 caps for Nigeria has a differing opinion, and this has come as a shock to many.
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11:08 - 20.11.2023
Super Eagles: Nigerians clamour for Emmanuel Amuneke to replace Peseiro
The Super Eagles failed to secure a win against Lesotho and Zimbabwe in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches.
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16:43 - 19.11.2023
Use local coach - Nigerians urge NFF to sack Peseiro after Super Eagles draw with Zimbabwe
With just two games played in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, Nigerians are already fed up with coach Jose Peseiro and have asked for an indigenous coach to take over from him.
What Amuneke said
Ahead of the big event on Monday night in Marrakech Morocco, the CAF social media account shared a video where it asked legends of the African game to name their preferred winner for the African Player of the Year Award of the three nominees between Osimhen, Mohammed Salah, and Achraf Hakimi.
The legends were seemingly in transit to the gala when the content was recorded, and although majority of them went for Osimhen, including former Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor. Shockingly, Nigeria’s Amunike wasted no time in naming Salah when the camera panned on him.
Reactions to what Amunike said
The former Barcelona forward is currently an assistant manager of the Super Eagles, and is reportedly shoo-in to replace Jose Peseiro at the helm of the Nigerian national team.
Hence, his decision to vote against his countryman, who could well soon be under tutelage, befuddled many.
One fan, angry at the 52-year-old’s pick said, “Why are these people like this? What on earth could make Amuneke pick Salah over Osimhen? Forget the latter being his countryman, let's compare the performance of both last season. These guys are just too jealous of the young ones.”
Another said, “Though amuneke is a legend, he's totally wrong, and I don't want to overthink this joke. Cause he really sounds bitter and has nothing to do with his opinions.”
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17:45 - 10.12.2023
Victor Osimhen and Asisat Oshoala: The Most Influential Nigerian Footballers of 2023
Osimhen and Oshoala's impact on and off the field in 2023 has positioned them as the most influential male and female Nigerian footballers of the year respectively.
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11:56 - 18.11.2023
Feckless Peseiro has no answers, but must not be sacked
The Super Eagles plumbed new depths against Lesotho, and have it all to do against Zimbabwe. Peseiro, however, must be allowed to see his contract through to February, irrespective of his cluelessness.
Pulse Sports’ Senior Editor Solace Chukwu, joined in the reactions to Amunike’s pick, saying, “For better or worse, this is who Amuneke is and has always been: blunt, abrasive to a fault. Discretion is often the better part of valour though, especially as he actively desires to coach @NGSuperEagles. He absolutely can hold that opinion, but he simply cannot do it publicly.”
Osimhen finished as the top scoring player in Serie A last season, while leading Napoli to their first Scudetto in 33 years.
He also comfortably outscored Mohammed Salah’s league tally last season while playing in lesser games and the Egyptian could only see Liverpool to a 5th place finish.
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