Emmanuel Amuneke Reveals The Reason He Turned Down The NFF

Published: December 12, 2020

Former Nigerian winger Emmanuel Amuneke took to the media to reveal the reason turned down an offer to become Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) technical director saying he was still involved with a club.

The 49-year-old is still currently still under a contract with Egyptian club El Makkasa having joined the club as a head coach before he was eventually promoted to succeed in the position of technical director, with several best online casinos usa having made predictions about the successor of this seat.

The former Nigeria winger moved to Egypt after parting ways as a head coach with the Tanzania national team, who delivered poor performances in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, as they ultimately failed to claim victory in a single match before being ejected from the tournament.

The 49-year-old winger was impressive for his country in his career days as he won several titles also being pivotal in the Super Eagles U-17 as he guided them to the 2015 World Cup.

The former Nigeria international claimed to the media that he was contacted by the NFF to take up the role of technical director in the organization, and the reason he turned them down.

The role was later given to Austin Eguavoen, a former manager of the Super Eagles team.

Amuneke said to the Punch, via Goal: “I was approached by the NFF for the role of a technical director but I had a contract with the people I was working with and I needed to respect the contract.

“I was in a difficult situation with my team as of that time and we were in a relation battle.

“Though my country comes first, I needed to respect my employers. They said they wanted me till after the season.”

The former winger also turned off the idea of the potential of being the assistant coach to Super Eagles current manager Gernot Rohr, saying he will become a threat to Rohr's job, which many new casinos online feel should be a welcome competition to the former Nigerian player.

He added: “No! Why? I have my principles. We are ready to serve our nation. But as individuals, we have our reputation to protect.

“If I come on board, I am a threat to Rohr. If I am here as an assistant, he will lose more concentration. He will think I am there to take his job.

“We have decided to give him the job, but let us support him. If Nigerians decide that Amuneke, we need your service, I will be there. But it is not possible [to be Rohr’s assistant]. What will I be saying? He has his own philosophy, I have mine.

“Nobody has ever told me to come and be an assistant coach and if it’ll be, it is not possible, it will never be.

“I am not better than anybody. I am not arrogant. It is unfortunate that we don’t respect our stars in Africa. I deserve a little bit of respect and I didn’t reject any job.

“After U-20, I decided to get out of the Nigerian space. I took that decision myself. At the age that I am now, I have been involved in football all my life, for me I like challenges and I am not afraid. I should make decisions for myself and respect others.”

Amuneke was known for his performance in 1994, when the Super Eagles won the Africa Cup of Nations, resulting in him being named the African Player of the Year.