Amunike: 'Bad blood' cost me Super eagles job
02/05/2024 15:00
Emmanuel Amunike believes animosity from Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) officials led to him losing out to Finidi George as head coach of the national team.
The NFF finally announced the permanent successor to Jose Peseiro earlier this week, with George given the opportunity to continue in his role after being handed the reins on an interim basis on March 1.
Amunike was thought to be the favourite for the job due to his previous experience of guiding Tanzania to the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, while he won the Under-17 World Cup with the Golden Eaglets in 2015.
However, the country’s footballing governing body opted to retain George, who served as Peseiro’s assistant for 20 months before the Portuguese tactician’s departure shortly after he led the Super Eagles to the 2023 AFCON finaL
The 1994 African Footballer of the Year claims there is still “bad blood” with certain NFF members which stems from his tenure as Augustine Eguavoen’s assistant when the West African giants failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
“They succeeded in smearing my name in the media because of the Eagles job,” Amuneke was quoted as saying by the Punch. “They can continue with their propaganda, but I will remain disciplined. It’s not do-or-die job.
“All those allegations made in the media online because of the Eagles job are obviously not true, but those who recommended candidates for the job know I will not be easily bullied. I know there is still bad blood with these officials, but it’s fine.”
