Emmanuel Amunike, an ex coach of Napoli forward Victor Osimhen has made some quite revelation about the goal-scoring engine npflupdates.com reports.
Also read: Jordan Torunarigha : It’s Wonderful To Train With Big Players Like Osimhen
Emmanuel Amunike tutored Victor Osimhen during his time with the Golden Eaglets U-17 of Nigeria as far back as in 2015.
Amunike, in a recent published interview session with, BBC Sports Africa confessed about Osimhen’s desire and zeal to achieve greatness.
Amunike talks about Osimhen experience
“There is no doubt about his character, in terms of his desire and zeal to achieve something, succeed and win,” Amunike told BBC Sport Africa about Osimhen.
“As a coach at youth level, that was something that made me admire him. That is one of the best [attributes] for a player to make it to the highest stage.”
Osimhen finished as Serie A highest goalscorer last season with 26 goals; becoming the first African player to achieve such feat, despite the likes of Samuel Eto’o, George Weah and Obafemi Martins having played in Italy.
Also read: 2 Reasons Why Osimhen May Not Win CAF ‘Best Player’ Award – Expert
Also, he led Napoli to its first ever Scudetto title in more than three decades; and finished as Serie A Best Striker for the 2022/2023 season. And the fine form, earned him a CAF nomination for the Best Player of the year award.
The 24-year-old will compete with Morocco’s Yassine Bouno and El Neyseri, Senegal’s Sadio Mane, Kalidou Koulibaly and twenty-six other players for the covetous prize.
Amunike is hoping the former Olympique Lille forward wins the CAF Best Player award for 2023.
“We hope he wins the Caf award with what he has done for his club and the national team,” said Amunike, a 1994 winner of the same award.
“Regardless of not playing at the World Cup [held in Qatar last year], he has been able to establish himself as a worthy contender.”
Amunike, in his days with Barcelona played alongside current Manchester City manager and Spanish ex international, Pep Guardiola for Barcelona.
Also read: Tella In, Osimhen, Chukwueze, Ndidi Out Of Super Eagles W’Cup Qualifiers
In this interview, he recalled how the young Osimhen almost missed out on making Nigeria’s squad for the U-17 World Cup in 2015.
Amunike reminisces about 2015 FIFA U-17 world cup tournament in Chile
But was eventually selected to travel to Chile were he made history by scoring 10 goals as the Golden Eaglets won the title for the fifth time.
“We actually had a lot [of strikers] during the screening,” Amuneke, now 52, said.
“I paired each of the players in groups and his set played badly. I already ignored Victor with other players in his set but my backroom staff drew my attention to him.
“I gave him another chance and he proved himself to make the squad.”
Speaking further Amunike talked about the numerous talents in Nigeria’s Super Eagles and how best to harness them and win the AFCON.
“We are blessed with a crop of talented players, but we can’t go to the tournament merely thinking we can win because we have good players,” Amuneke said.
Also read: I’m Ready For The Super Eagles – Amunike
“Winning Afcon is not about players – there’s a whole lot to be planned and implemented.”
“The offensive players must also be a part of the defence, especially when the team is not in possession,” he said.
“The coach should take a holistic look at his team and find a solution to make them compete well against other teams.”
