Amunike: Why I Lost Super Eagles job to Finidi

Emmanuel Amunike has revealed why he felt he was snubbed for Finidi George for the Super Eagles top job.

The former Super Eagles winger believes animosity from Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) officials led to him losing the job he was widely believed to have been the most qualified amongst the Nigerian coaches who app;ied for the job.

The NFF however announced Finidi as Jose Peseiro’s successor and the Rivers state born former Ajax, Real betis and Ipswich Town star has been mandated to return Nigeria to the FIFA World Cup in 2026 after the country failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup that held in Qatar.

Amunike is claiming 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.’

Meanwhile, Philip Shaibu, immediately past deputy governor of Edo state has urged Nigerians to give Finidi George all the needed support to succeed in his new assignment.

‘I’m one of those that have been clamouring for indigenous coach. I want to congratulate Finidi George and watching his first two games the friendlies against Ghana and Mali, it was obvious that he’s bringing in experience.

‘And one thing I’m seeing in him is that he will be able to discover new Okocha and Kanu from our league. Because in his first assignment he brought in some of the players I have been thinking should be in the national team from the local league.

‘And having stayed in the local league and handling Enyimba very well, I’m sure he would have pencilled down a lot of players he wants to bring to Enyimba and such players should be invited to the national team to have a new generation of young home-based mixed with foreign-based players in our national team.

‘I wish him well and I need to advise and appeal to Nigerians to please give him (Finidi) a chance. Don’t be in a hurry. When we are in a hurry for him to deliver, too much pressure may be on him and we start looking for foreign coach.

‘I think we should give him time and chance to succeed. The same time and chances that we always give to foreign coaches. Let’s give him the same time, pray for him and support him,’ Shaibu said in Abuja.