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Tag: Emmanuel Amuneke

  • Amuneke Praises wards for  beaten Remo stars

    Amuneke Praises wards for  beaten Remo stars

    Heartland FC Technical Manager, Emmanuel Amuneke said he was not surprised his boys are picking up gradually and were able to beat Remo Stars last weekend.

    Peters Afolayan’s 71st minute goal was enough to hand the Naze Millionaires the three points in a high charged and physical game played at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri.

    Amuneke told the club’s media that he is thrilled the boys are getting used to his tactics and are working very hard every day to improve in all ramifications and get better in subsequent games.

    Read Also: NFF launches monthly Football Awards today

    “We are all happy with the win. I know the boys would eventually get thru bearing. We will keep on working hard and not allow the win to get into our heads,” Amuneke said. “It was a tough game but the boys worked harder to secure the three points. Remo Stars are a good day but we got the three points after working so hard in the game.”

    Heartland will travel to Umuahia for another Oriental derby against Abia Warriors this weekend.

  • Amuneke hails Heartland  after battling draw in Maiduguri

    Amuneke hails Heartland  after battling draw in Maiduguri

    Heartland FC Technical Manager, Emmanuel Amuneke, has praised the attitude and composure  of his players  after  they secured an away draw  against El Kanemi Warriors in Maiduguri in a Matchday Six tie of the Nigeria Premier Football League(NPFL).

    The Naze Millionaires had the penultimate weekend grabbed their first win of the season at home to Niger Tornadoes and they followed that up with their first away point after a battling goalless draw against El Kanemi Warriors yesterday.

    Amuneke in a chat with Heartland Media after the game said he was thrilled they got a draw and also kept a clean sheet-the third time the club would be doing so in the last four games.

    “The most important thing is that we got a vital point away against El Kanemi Warriors and keeping a clean sheet,” Amuneke said.”Every game comes with his different challenges and with different strategies. I must commend the players. We have seen the difficulties in terms of the game and the pitch and other factors but the attitude of the players is also very important. 

    Read Also: Super Eagles: Okumagba urges NFF to employ local coach

    “They were able to demonstrate that and they were able to put up a good fight in the game. Sometimes the game won’t come the way you have planned it but your ability to adapt to the changes the game has presented to you.”

    Amuneke said   the Naze Millionaires would now return home with their sights on Ikorodu City tie on Thursday.

    “We are happy. We have achieved our objective which is not to lose. We have a game on Thursday and we must go back to prepare for the game. We must look at areas we must continue to grow as a team for us to be in a position to compete,” Amuneke said.

  • Heartland deserve winning moment, says Amuneke

    Heartland deserve winning moment, says Amuneke

    Heartland FC Technical Manager, Emmanuel Amuneke, said  he was happy that his patient with his youngsters  has been rewarded with their first win of the season in the ongoing Nigeria Premier Football League season.

    The Naze Millionaires endured a difficult start to the season following  two losses to  Enyimba and Rivers United before the first point of the season in the goalless  home  draw  with Katsina United.They were unlucky to lose to Shooting Stars in Ibadan but earned  their first win in a 2-0 victory over Niger Tornadoes on Sunday.

    Amuneke thanked the team and the Imo people for their steadfastness throughout the trying periods, adding  changing the old order of doing things  with a crop of young players  would  eventually bode well  for the team  especially in terms of earning revenues.

    “I want to congratulate the team. Everyone put in much effort to ensure we get to this stage. The league is a marathon and when you lose some games, you will be a little upset but we are focused on what we want to achieve. When you look at Heartland FC last season, a lot happened there and many players left,”  an excited Amuneke said after  the match. “We are redirecting the course by having very young players that can serve for the future also. We all understand that when you are in a period of processing, it takes time for things to grow and work.

    “I am happy for the players and for Imo people. We deserve this moment. We have played five games and have got four points.”

    Read Also: Super Eagles: Shortlisted  coaches  may lose out as NFF name new handler      

    Despite the crucial home win, Amuneke said  the match would be reviewed with a view of correcting  noticeable errors ahead of this weekend’s  fixture away to  El Kanemi Warriors in Maiduguri.

    He said: “All we need to do now is to review ourselves and look at the area we need to continue to improve as a team knowing that in a team there will always be moment of mistakes.

    “Those mistakes count a lot and we have to go back and learn from them. We are happy that we won. It will give us a lot of relief ahead of our game coming up against El Kanemi Warriors. It will give us more confident going into the game.”

    The 1994 CAF Player of Year thumbed up the brilliant debut of Michael Ogu who bagged the two goals that sank Niger Tornadoes in Owerri and the entire team for the hard work that resulted in the victory.

    “We have to congratulate Michael Ogu for his brilliance and intelligence and also Molokwu that gave the pass. The experience of Ogu was also crucial and we are happy for him,” he added.

    Heartland are 16th  with four points on the league log with four points from five games ahead of this weekend’s away fixture with El Kanemi Warriors.

  • Heartland will get better , says Amuneke

    Heartland will get better , says Amuneke

    Heartland FC head coach, Emmanuel Amuneke has affirmed that the Naze Millionaires would get better very soon despite losing their third game of the season in Ibadan to Shooting Stars last weekend.

    The Owerri side fell to the strike of Samuel Ayanrinde in the 21st  minute of the game in Ibadan but Amuneke thumbed up the performance of his boys whom he said dictated the rhythm of the game in the second half and got chances to get at least a draw.

    “It was very intensive and good game and we expected it because both teams are going into some sort of transformation,” Amuneke told journalists.

    “Unfortunately we conceded the goal at the point we lost concentration. But in the second half, we controlled the game and we tried to mount pressure on our opponent. We couldn’t take our chances unfortunately. Generally it was a good game for both teams.

    “The changes were effective because our left back was having some challenges and we just have to bring him out to stabilise the defence.”

    Read Also: NFF names Eguavoen as caretaker coach for Super Eagles

    Amuneke outlined that the Owerri side are undergoing a rebuilding process and that very soon positive results will start coming.

    “Heartland is an historical team and over the years a lot has happened. We came in trying to stabilise the team and trying to see how we can bring different ideas,” he further said.

    “We also have to know that Rome was not built in a day. This is what we are trying to do to establish that confidence that people can believe in their team and hopefully the team will pick up.”

  • Amuneke leads Heartland  to win maiden Dan Anyiam Cup

    Amuneke leads Heartland  to win maiden Dan Anyiam Cup

    Heartland FC have emerged as the inaugural winner of the Dan Anyiam Cup after their 2-1 win over Nigeria National League (NNL) side, Kun Khalifat at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri on Wednesday night.

    The Dan Anyiam Cup is named after an iconic figure in Imo State and Nigeria being the first skipper of the senior national team and also a former coach of the then Spartans FC (now Heartland FC) and the management of the Naze Millionaires deemed it fit to honour him with the annual competition.

    The Naze Millionaires scored their goals through Samuel Wisdom and Benjamin Victor before Kun Khalifat reduced the deficit in the dying moments of the game through Effiong Idongesit.

    One of the highlights of the Dan Anyiam Cup game was when a nephew of the revered Dan Anyiam whom the cup game was named after, Pharmacist Anderson Anyiam handed over the trophy alongside the club’s Technical Manager, Emmanuel Amuneke.

    Heartland FC was handed over the giant trophy at the end of the game in a short trophy presentation to the wild jubilation of the players and officials.

    Technical Manager of  Heartland, Emmanuel Amuneke,  said he was impressed with the way his boys approached the game, adding will  correct the lapses noticed ahead of the weekend’s NPFL 2024-25 opening game with Enyimba in Owerri.

    “We are impressed with the way they played. You could see that this is a team that is work in progress,”  Amuneke said. “A lot of players that were here last season are no longer here. We now have mostly new players. It is a process and we will continue to work and go back and look at the areas that we need to enhance in terms of our capacity to play when we have the ball and when we do not.”

    Meanwhile, Heartland  have unveiled their newly signed players for the new season. 

    Speaking shortly before the unveiling,  the Executive Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodinma who was represented by the Chief of Staff, Government House, Owerri, Barr. Nnamdi Anyaehie  urged  the players to break barriers and gladden the heart of Imolites again and he assures them of his full support. 

    Read Also: Ronaldo breaks down in tears, becomes first player to score 900 goals

    He  announced that the state helmsman has approved the distribution of over 3,500 Heartland FC jerseys to the fans who come to the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri on Sunday to support the team as they face Enyimba in the first game of the 2024-25 Nigeria Premier Football League season.

    The event which had former Super Falcons captain, Desire Oparanozie in attendance,  also had some legends of the club like the first skipper of the former Spartans FC (now Heartland FC), Leo Nkwocha, George Okoro a.k.a Wagner, Evans Ikwuegbu, Godwin Ebomuche and Sylvester Oparanozie (Bahama) all physically present while some top music artiste like Acharaman, Dtwins and Mayor Mike also witnessed the epoch making occasion with their beautiful renditions. 

    Also in attendance were other top football stakeholders led by the Imo FA Chairman, Barrister Ifeanyi Dike.

    The Chief of Staff, Imo Government House, Owerri, Barr. Nnamdi Anyaehie, Deputy Speaker, Imo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Amara Iwuanyanwu, Commissioner for Special Duties, Emeka Okoronkwo, Commissioner for Sports, Obinna Onyeocha (Onowu), and other prominent Imo politicians graced the occasion.

    The Heartland FC newly signed players are :Elvis Ori (Bayelsa United), Kelvin Ogunga (Bayelsa United), Udochukwu Anumudu (Abia Warriors), Louis Umoh Anthony (Heartland Feeders), Alex Godwin (Niger Tornadoes), Julius Namitanie (Giant Brillars), Offor Emmanuel Chibueze (Giant Brillars), Adoh Chuks Frank (De First Atlanta FA), Ebuka Nwokoecha (Diamond FA).

    Also newly signed are: Olanrewaju Molade (Giant Brillars), Chukwudi Agor (Giant Brillars),Ikwu Ejike (Rangers International FC),Osinachi Wilson (Eagle Eye), Nnaemeka Christian Nkwo (Giant Brillars), Ezra David (Superstars FA), Uchenna David (Foster FA), Bobo Chubuike (Dynamic Shuttle), Onuwa Temple Chigozirim (Er7 FC), Chikamso Obasi (De Gideons FA),Nkemakolam Chigozie Godwin (Umuakuma FA), 

    Others are: Chukwuma Chinedu (Taiye Academy), Kelvin Onah (Legacy Stars), Samuel Wisdom (Giant Brillars),Emmanuel Charles (Rangers International FC), Joshua Odo (Rangers International FC), Suraju Lawal (Giant Brillars), Chukwuma Agoha (Brighter Tomorrow FC), Obinna Okere (Brighter Tomorrow), Benjamin Victor (Brighter Tomorrow), Chukwuma Agor (Brighter Tomorrow).

  • Just In: Tanzania sack Emmanuel Amuneke

    Tanzania have parted ways with their once cherished coach and former Nigeria international Emmanuel Amuneke after what the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) dubbed poor outing at the ongoing Nations Cup in Egypt.

    Amuneke who made history by qualifying the Taifa Stars of Tanzania for the Nations cup for the first time in 39 years failed to win a match in the group stage where the team was pitched against Algeria, Senegal and Kenya.

    The team lost 3-0 to Algeria, 3-2 to Kenya and 2-0 to Senegal to exit the competition conceding 8 goals and scoring just two against Kenya.

    TFF in a release on Monday said “The Tanzania Football Association and the national team coach, Emmanuel Amuneke, have reached a joint agreement to terminate the contract,” the TFF wrote on their website.

    The Federation said a temporary coach would be appointed after their emergency meeting on Thursday, and he would lead them for the upcoming qualifiers for the African Nations Championship (CHAN). Tanzania begin the regional CHAN qualifiers against neighbor’s Kenya later this month.

    Amuneke who coached Sudanese club Al Khartoum SC before taking over the Tanzanian national team won the Fifa U-17 World Cup trophy for a record fourth time in the United Arab Emirates in 2013 for Nigeria.

    The former Barcelona ace within the short period he was with Taifa Stars was hailed by many fans who noted that he had injected life into the Tanzanian national team despite the poor run in Egypt.

  • Amuneke’s Taifa Stars will not be cheap – Djamel Belmadi

    Former international Emmanuel Amuneke’s Taifa Stars may be debutants to the Nations cup but they will not be cheap to handle. That was the submission of Algeria coach Djamel Belmadi.  Algeria who last won the Nations cup in 1990 have been group against Taranga Lions of Senegal, Harambee Stars of Kenya and Taifa Stars of Tanzania in Group C.

    Although Belmadi identified Senegal as the biggest challenge for his side in the group he nonetheless admitted that the debutants may turn out to be a pain in the neck.

    “We will face the biggest challenge in Senegal, who are also one of the favourites. For Kenya and Tanzania, even though these two countries have not played the AFCON for several years, they still remain opponents against whom it will be necessary to play good matches and win. We will study the teams of the group well and prepare to be at our best on the day,” he told Cafonline.

    The former Qatar coach revealed the first step is to avoid crashing out in the group stage.

    “Our goal at first is to go beyond the first round and then fight on till the final,” he enthused

    Also Read: Khutlang rues missed chances against Amuneke’s Taifa

    Desert Foxes of Algeria have a date against Taifa Stars on July 1st, their last group match of the championship. It will be a clash between Belmadi who made his debut for Algeria a year after the won the Nations cup and Amuneke who won the

    Nations cup as a player in 2004 in Tunisia. Algeria. Amuneke who coached Nigeria U-17 side and Sudanese club side  Al Khartoum SC before taking over as national team coach of Tanzania made history when he qualified the team for the Nations cup in 39 years, and will be looking forward to creating more records even as debutants.

    They will open campaign in Egypt against Senegal on Sunday, followed by a clash against Kenya on June 27 before rounding off the group stage with a fight to the finish encounter against Algeria.

  • Emeka Amadi: Dammam Miracle, my unforgettable moment

    Former U-20 National Team goalkeeper, Emeka Amadi earned his place in the Nigerian football firmament as part of historic team that won Africa’s first Silver Medal at the biennial championship in Saudi Arabia. As the 22nd edition of championship gets underway in Poland between 23rd May and 15th June, Amadi currently working as assistant coach to Emmanuel Amuneke in Tanzania, recalls the momentous match between Nigeria and former Soviet Union in an interesting conversation with MORAKINYO ABODUNRIN.

    Three decades after his heroics  in the penalty-shootout  win over the former Soviet Union (USSR)  at the  FIFA  U-20 World Youth Championship in Saudi Arabia, erstwhile Flying Eagles’ goalkeeper  Emeka Amadi  has admitted  the dramatic match would forever  remain one of the country’s finest football moment.

    “The FIFA U-20 World Cup in 1989 is best remembered for the quarter final match between Nigeria and USSR and that match is simply unforgettable,” began Amadi who featured for both Enugu Rangers international and Bendel insurance in his prime before moving to Germany for studies. “Though it is 30 years ago, being part of that squad  still gives me a sense of pride and achievement  and I’m happy to be involved in that particular quarter final  duel against USSR.”

    For younger minds, the performance of the Flying Eagles as well as their epic tie against the Eastern European side in the quarter finals was well summarised in a FIFA Technical Report of Saudi 1989:“Nigeria proved equally sensational. Expected to hold their own, given their strong performances in younger age groups, nobody expected the Flying Eagles to be quite so resourceful.

    “Three times they hit back after going behind (against Czechoslovakia, USSR and the USA), and nobody who witnessed it will ever forget their historic encounter with the USSR; trailing by 4 goals to 0 with half an hour to play, the Africans scored 4 times in 24 minutes before winning the game on penalties.”

    “Victory over the Americans made Nigeria the first African side to reach a FIFA World Youth Championship Final. Christopher Ohenhen, Mutiu Adepoju, and Christopher Nwosu were all key elements in a physically imposing and technically gifted outfit.”

    Speaking further on the feat, Amadi who came in as a second half substitute for Angus Ikeji , said  he had his date with destiny against the  USSR, adding victory was more or less fait accompli once they pulled  the chestnut from the fire to level scores at 4-4.

    “ There is no team that can win a tournament without a good goalkeeper and I think we were  confident  going into the penalty shootout because the players knew I was good at stopping penalties,” offered Amadi.

    Indeed, Ohenhen, late Peter Ogaba, Mike Onyemachara, Mutiu Adepoju and Samuel Elijah all scored from the spot to earn Nigeria a famous 5-3 victory after Amadi foiled Qosinov which was his side’s third kick.

    “The quarter final match against the Soviet Union is usually called the Miracle of Dammam and it was a miraculous event indeed,” Amadi further explained.“ But let me share one of the success secrets of that team because up till today, I don’t think any Nigerian team up to the Super Eagles have enjoined such support in the history of Nigerian football.

    “Immediately we got to Saudi, the then NFA paid our daily allowance from the first day up to the final day of the competition even when nobody knew if we were going to even qualify from the group stage.

    “That was already a huge motivation for us  and I think we carried that spirit into all our matches. But even before we got to Saudi Arabia for the World Cup,  our team already had history off clawing back from the jaw of defeat.

    “I would cite two outstanding examples. In our friendly match against Dragons of Benin in Cotonou and they led us  2-0 till about 20 minutes to the end of the match but we equalised and later won the match  3-2. In another game against Ijebu United or so, we also came back from 3-0 to level the scores at 3-3; and such was the reputation of our team going to Saudi Arabia.

    “I didn’t get to play until the quarter finals when I came in as replacement for injured Angus Ikeji in the second half and by that time we were already 3-0 down but we equalized with less than 30 minutes left in the match before we won in penalties; it’s simply unforgettable and I’m happy always that I actually stopped USSR in the penalty shootout,” noted Amadi.

    For years, there had been  this misconception that the coach Tunde Disu-led Flying Eagles went to sleep after dumping USSR  in the quarter final and USA in the semi-final  hence they lost  2-0 to Portugal the championship’s decider against Portugal .

    Hear Amadi:

    “ We didn’t go to any party  before the final match against Portugal as it was erroneously reported; which party would you go in Saudi Arabia? We were only invited to  dinner attended by other teams after we defeated the USA.

    “People forgot the fact that we beat both USSR and USA after extra-time which might  have taken its toll on us before we met Portugal. Though we lost to Portugal, nobody can talk about Saudi 1989 without talking about  the Miracle of Dammam which I think was the major highlight of that tournament.”

    Now 47, Amadi  is forever passionate about the crucial position of a goalkeeper in a team  and apart from standing between the sticks with Bendel Insurance and Rangers, he had  stints  in Germany with SV Steinheim; FC Brakel and Hannover’96.

    He also featured for Tus Celle; FC Oberneuland and SV Nienhagen where he retired and took coaching appointment. He was on the technical crew  of Nigeria’s  2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup winning team where his ward, Dele Alampasu was adjudged the best goalkeeper of the championship with the Golden Gloves award.

    “A team without a good goalkeeper would struggle to compete,” noted Amadi in his usual measured voice. “A goalkeeper is like a gladiator that can motivates his team to greater heights and I’m really proud of the quality of goalkeepers I discovered and trained during our time with the Golden Eaglets and Flying Eagles.

    “It’s not a coincidence that these goalkeepers like  Alampasu who won the Golden Gloves

    Award when we won the U-17  World Cup in 2013; Francis Uzoho who is currently with the Super Eagles, Benjamin Amos who was the best goalkeeper during the WAFU B-U-17 tournament in Lome in 2015  Akpan Udoh who was adjudged one of the best when we won the U-17 World Cup in Chile and the current National U-23 coach Adamu all passed through my hands.

    “It shows the kind of job and quality I bring to the table for the teams I’ve been attached with because a good goalkeeper is more or less the eyes of the coach on the pitch and he’s expected to motivate and direct his colleagues, he initiates attack because he is also  a player too .”

    Meanwhile, Amadi who is currently an assistant coach to Emmanuel Amuneke  in Tanzania , has  further spoken about   the miraculous qualification of  Taifa Stars for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) for the first time since their debut at the  1980 finals held in Nigeria.

    “Going to Tanzania with coach Amuneke wa not a gamble because right from the outset, I was optimistic that we can do something tangible because Amuneke and I have come a long way,” he explained.“ We are like minds and this type of job we have in Tanzania is an opportunity to show what we can do; it is a motivation for us to achieve something  and our target first and foremost was to qualify for the AFCON.

    “One thing that I like about Amuneke is that he’s not egoistic and he constant evaluate himself as a professional.  He doesn’t compromise discipline but he’s very humane in his conduct with players.  He’s a good listener and he like constructive criticism and feedback too.

    “We wanted to make history with Tanzania and of course as Nigerians  that took Tanzania to the AFCON after 39 years.  We prayed. We worked and our technical know-how impacted well on the team; but no matter how good you are, you still need the element of luck and I could say we were lucky also to take Tanzania to the AFCON for only the second time in their history.

    “It’s been great working with the Tanzania Football Federation(TFF) and they gave us free hands to execute our plans; there is no disturbance which has really inspired us to bring all what we have to achieve this great objective.

    “ I’m very happy that from the goalkeeping department, we contributed our part towards the qualification of Taifa Stars for the AFCON. Goalkeeper Manula was outstanding and I think he inspired confidence on his teammates. I’m not just an ordinary goalkeeper trainer but I was trained in Germany in such a way that I can even handle the German national team goalkeepers.

    “The experience from Germany  has helped me to train good goalkeepers  over the years and I’m happy I’m on the part of that  same excellence  with Tanzania.”

    After the  heroics of AFCON qualification, Amadi is confident that the Taifa Stars would not be a whipping team  despite being  drawn in a seemingly tough preliminary round Group C that houses Senegal, Algeria and their East African rivals, Kenya.

    He said:“ As a coach, I love to compete  but I’d rather stay at home  if I think I don’t  have a chance. We (Taifa Stars)  are going to Egypt to compete nothing less than that. We have our aims and  we are determined  and we  have to keep our focus.  We want to have a good AFCON  and we are going to work hard  to achieve our focus.

    “ We are going to come out of that group; it’s not an easy task but  hard work would  see us through.

    “ Personally on the long term,  I want to unearth and train a new crop of goalkeepers that would serve Tanzania for a long time to come. I hope I can also help create a good working goalkeeping department before leaving Tanzania. I want to make a name for myself too  I want to impart my knowledge and train good goalkeepers across the continent if I can have such opportunity,” he noted.

    Meanwhile, Amadi has spoken passionately on other sundry issues. Below are the excerpts.

    Between Saudi 1989 and Poland 2019  FIFA U-20 World Cup

    I still have fond memories about Saudi 1989 FIFA U-20 World Cup  because as you know, it was a great moment for us and I would say, it was also a miraculous outing for us as a team. Time runs fast and it is already 30 years after we won the Silver medal because we were beaten in the final match by Portugal. It was a momentous occasion for us because that was the first time an African team  came second at the U-20 level in a FIFA-organized tournament. It was a major breakthrough and coupled with the famous Golden Eaglets’ victory in the inaugural 1985  edition of the FIFA U-16 World  Cup in China, our performance in Saudi  turned  global attention  to Nigeria. It I important to say that it would be a thing of hoy if the current Flying Eagles to the FIFA U-20 WC in Poland can go a step further by winning the trophy after our set in 1989 and  2005 set came second.  It would be a historic feat if they can go all the way to win the Cup after 30 years when Nigeria first came second at that level.  Nigerians still remember our  feat of 1989 because we truly showed the never-say-die attitude of most Nigerians; we were united  and that was why we were able to bounce back against the former Soviet Union (USSR) in the quarter finals. We beat the USA in the semi-finals and lost to Portugal in the final but the way and manner we beat USSSR  in the quarter finals made Nigerians to be proud of us till today.

    My recruitment into the Flying Eagles

    Except some few players like Nduka Ugbade who had played at the FFA U-16 World Cup , the bulk of players selected for the U-20 set of 1989 were virtually unknown. Some of us were picked after our performance  during college championship and I was already in my first year  at University of Nigeria Nsukka  but I was picked twice actually from both the Anambra State Youth Festival  and was also picked during the  Pepsi/NUGA championship because I was the best goalkeeper  of the 1987 edition.

    Dearth of African  goalkeepers with top teams in Europe

    We have talented goalkeepers in Africa but the problem is that unlike their European counterparts, they were not exposed earlier enough  to the rudiments of the game.  Players and goalkeepers are well exposed to the basics at their tender ages in Europe whereas African goalkeepers no matter how talented, are not exposed to the basics early enough. The problem is that we don’t even pay attention to the grooming of goalkeepers in Africa. For instance, how many soccer academies in Nigeria have well trained goalkeepers ?

    Joy of being a goalkeeper and goalkeepers’ trainer

    During my playing career, the joy for me was going out there to give my best and help my team to win matches. No joy is greater than that for a goalkeeper. Doing your best  to ensure the success of your team.  Of course, there are occasions that one’s best was not good enough but that has  since taught me a valuable lesson about  life that it can’t be bed of roses all the times. No cross, no crown. I’m now training these young goalkeepers based on the experiences that I have gained over the years and like a father, I’m happy that some of the goalkeepers that had passed through my hands are doing well with the Nigerian national teams presently.

    My personae

    A lot of people know my name but most people don’t know me because I’m not the type that seeks publicity. I want to live a normal live like the every man on the streets. But I’m coming out of my shell. I’m proud of myself; I’m proud of my name. Yes, some called me ‘The Hot Chocolate’ because I love drinking hot beverages and some said it’s as a result of the fact that I dish out tough training for goalkeepers I trained.

  • EMMANUEL AMUNEKE: AFCON 2019 ‘LL BE DIFFICULT TO WIN

    Emmanuel Amuneke, former Barcelona winger and current coach of Tanzania is undoubtedly one of the success stories of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying tournament after securing a place for the Taifa Stars on the continental soccer table for the first time since 1980 when they made their debut. The former African Footballer of the Year shares his experience in the campaign as well as his expectations when the 32nd edition of the continental showpiece gets underway in Egypt in an interesting conversation with MORAKINYO ABODUNRIN.

    Twenty-five years since he emerged as the star of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) after scoring the brace as Nigeria emerged champions in a tight 2-1 win over Zambia in 1994, Emmanuel Amuneke, the former Barcelona winger and current coach of Tanzania, has yet predicted a tough contest as the crème de la crème of African teams gather in Egypt for the 32nd edition of the continental showpiece.

    The AFCON now in its 62nd year has evolved over the years since only three countries competed for the inaugural edition held in Sudan in 1957 but at Egypt 2019 a new chapter would be opened as 24 teams would for the first time in history contest for the continental most sought-after trophy.

    In the mix are the hosts’ Pharaohs of  Egypt who incidentally have a record seven title as well as defending and five-time champions, Indomitable Lions of Cameroon. Other past winners on  the card are  four-star Black Stars of Ghana; three-time winners the Super Eagles of  Nigeria; Algeria; Cote d’Ivoire;South Africa; Tunisia; DR Congo; Algeria and  Morocco.  There are also tested campaigners complete with Mali, Guinea, Senegal, Uganda, Benin and Angola. The trio of Madagascar, Burundi and Mauritania  would be making their AFCON debut while Amuneke-led Taifa Stars of Tanzania returns since their debut 39 years ago when Nigeria hosted the AFCON in 1980.

    “This AFCON in Egypt would be the most difficult to win,” Amuneke, the 1994 Africa Footballer of the Year began in a special interview with The Nation from his base in Dar es Salam.“It’s going to be a difficult AFCON to win even for the traditional big teams because most of their players would be coming down for this competition  after a gruelling season in their respective European leagues.

    “ I also feel that  the so-called underdogs would be a big threat  to the aspirations of the big teams like Egypt, Senegal, Nigeria, Cameroon Tunisia and Morocco.

    “ I’m very happy that Tanzania is part of the teams that would be playing for the first time  in the enlarged 24-team format  in Egypt and we have to go out there and show that our qualification for the AFCON for the first time since 1980 is not a fluke.

    “I’m happy for the Tanzanian people and players who had long to be part of the tournament since their debut 39 years ago but we are not going to Egypt  just to make up the numbers; we are going to show what we have.”

    Reflecting on the team’s qualification for the AFCON, Amuneke said  it was not achieved on a platter of gold  as the Taifa Stars survived from a tough qualifying section and only sealed their ticket as the runner-up from Group L  on the final match day with a flattering 3-0 win over already qualified    Uganda in front of a delirious home crowd at the National Stadium in Da es Salam.

    “I’ve achieved so much both as a player and coach but  24th March 2019 was a special day for me; the day Tanzania qualified for the AFCON after a very long time,” surmised Amuneke who four years ago, led Nigeria national youth side (Golden Eaglets) to win the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile.

    “ Of course, our qualification was not as easy as it seems but  I knew it is not going to be an easy thing right from the day I was appointed (he was appointed 6th  August 2018 as Tanzania national football team head coach) but one of the secrets of our qualification is honesty with purpose.

    “ The players, the technical crew and the backroom staff were all honest about the assignment and we all gave our very best to ensure we qualified for the AFCON. We were open to criticisms and we were our own worst critics because we know we have to think outside the box to ensure we make history.

    “Of course, we respected all the other teams in our group but at the end of the day, it’s Uganda and Tanzania that came out of our group. Nothing can be achieved without hard work but I’m most grateful to God  that he crowned our efforts with glory.”

    Yet work is cut out for the Taifa Stars after they were drawn against Senegal, Algeria and Kenya in Group C at the AFCON but Amuneke reckons his side are not going to be the Cinderella  team in Egypt.

    “ Of course, 24 teams are going to contest for the AFCON title  but there will only be one winner in Egypt,” explained Amuneke who scored the  match-winning goal in the 3-2 defeat of Argentina when Nigeria won Africa’s first Olympic Soccer Gold Medal  at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta.

    “This AFCON would be the first to accommodate 24 teams and I’m of the view that it is good for African football. It would have been difficult for the so-called small teams to  qualify  but it’s a serious departure from the past as we are going to see some new teams in Egypt.

    “To change from one stage to another can be difficult but this 24-team format is good for African football; now we have Burundi, Madagascar and  Mauritania and you can’t count Tanzania out.

    “ It’s one step after the other; Tanzania is going back to the AFCON after 39 years and that means we have a lot of catch up to do so that we can compete against the other teams  that would be in attendance.

    “In our group we have Senegal and Algeria; these two teams are very experienced as far as the AFCON is concerned and there is also the strong East African rivalry against Kenya. So we are in a very interesting group at the AFCON.

    “The only way we can qualify from the group is work very hard and pray for some luck too. We can’t  be afraid after qualification for the biggest African football party. The only way  to succeed is to work very hard; and we are ready to bend down and work very hard. If it pleases God Tanzania would do something great in  Egypt.”

    All  the big boys of  African football in Diaspora would be on parade in Egypt and while hosts Egypt would as expected be completed with African Footballer of the Year and Liverpool , Mohammed Sallah; Senegal  also has Liverpool striker  Sadio Mane; Nigeria has a clutch of enterprising youngsters in Alex Iwobi of Arsenal and Samuel Chukwueze of Villarreal amongst others.

    But Amuneke reckons Tanzania has a joker in the pack in the shape of Mbwana Ally Samatta- the free scoring striker with Belgian Jupiler side Genk who incidentally is the captain of the Taifa Stars.

    “ Of course, I’m happy that we have Ally Samatta on our side but he’s not the only player we can count on,” remarked Amuneke who as a matter of coaching principles believes the whole must be greater than the sum of its parts.

    “We have other players in Zambia, Algeria, Morocco and Spain; Ally Samatta is our captain and I like his professional attitude. He understand the privilege of being the captain of the team and it’s a thing ofpride for any player to lead his country.

    “His performance abroad and now with the national would surely inspire other young players coming up. I believe we have players that can get the job done and Samatta is a good addition to our side and my dream is that he becomes a hero in African football.”

    Despite a difficult start on the job particularly after losing away to Cape Verde in the penultimate game, Amuneke is today  regarded as a hero far and near  and he surmised  that like Rome, Tanzania is not built in a day, adding  coaching Taifa Stars is an opportunity to impose his ideals.

    “Nothing in life comes easy  and you know  changes doesn’t come easily in  in Africa,” noted  Amuneke, a holder of CAF A Licence Certificate  and UEFA Pro Licence Certificate.

    “The most difficult thing is changing people’s mind-set that something can be done in a way they have been so used to and sometimes some would hate you for no reason.

    “But one has to stick to his ideas  if you are convinced about your plans and what you are doing; and I think taking the right decision gets you closer to success. “My guiding principle as a coach is honesty; I’m honest to myself and to the job and bury myself into the job once I’m convinced about what I’m doing and it’s my dreams to help develop the game here in Tanzania.

    “I’m an African and it’s a shame if I can’t tell Tanzanians the truth. Of course, you can’t please everybody but I owe everybody my respect. Now, everybody can see where we are heading to.”

    Of course, the coaching job is fraught with landmines  and  most often than not, coaches are fired yet Amuneke said he was only concerned with the present and not the future.

    “Frankly, I don’t worry about what I’m not in control of,” surmised the former African Champions with Zamalek in his heyday.

    “ My life  has been a journey and I’m convinced that it’s God that has been leading me through right from my playing days.

    “ I have a contract in place with the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) and if it pleases, God for me to extend the contract, I’ll surely do.My joy is that everybody now realise the huge potentials we have in Tanzania and that any good player can actually play for the country irrespective of the club he’s attached with.

    “Until now you have to play for the big clubs to be given a chance in the national team but that is no longer the case with my presence here. As long as I’m here, players would be featured based on merit.

    “ We can’t predict the future, only God knows. We all know that the coaching job is associated with hiring and firing; but I want to make my mark as a coach and only God knows what is in store for me.”

    Meanwhile, Amuneke has yet pay tribute to army of coaches that have shaped his career right from humble beginning at defunct Nigerlux of Lagos under the late Professor Yemi Tella.

    “I was lucky to have passed through the hands of some very good coaches and I picked so much  from their style and methods which is also helping me today,” he explained.

    “Late coach Yemi Tella made a huge impression on me while at Nigerlux and there was also coach Mutiu Okunnu when I was at Julius Berger.“ I also worked with good coaches when I was at Zamalek of Egypt. Legendary Scottish coach Dave Mackay was on hand when I joined Zamalek. It was also a great privilege to have worked with late Mahmoud El-Gohary at Zamalek.

    “ At FC Porto, I was coached by Carlos Queiroz  and was also lucky to have passed through the hands of late Sir Bobby Robson and Louis van Gaal during my days at FC Barcelona.

    “ But the coach that made a far greater influence on me is Jose Morales.

    “I asked myself several questions before deciding on my next line of action after my retirement as a footballer: ‘I’m capable of being a good coach? Do I have the temperament to impact knowledge as a coach? What would be my objectives as a coach or is it because money is involved?”

    “For weeks, I gave thoughts to these questions and several others; and I started making enquiries about where I could go for my professional training. I actually wanted to go to England because I felt I would be comfortable in an English class but ended up doing my first level coaching course in Spain in 2004.

    “It was a bit tasking and tiring for me as I went through the course for three years and along the line I enjoyed what I was doing; I had the chance of training youth teams in Spain which was part of the course requirement and later, I got the opportunity to work under Jose Morales in Saudi Arabia.

    “Working under Morales gave me the chance to learn more under a professional atmosphere which cannot be compared with what I went through with the youths while undergoing my coaching course; I had a nice experience in Saudi Arabia with Al-Hazm FC as I was able to learn a lot of things mostly on tactical formations; planning for a match; reading and interpretation of what the opponents would do.

    “Morales assisted Jose Mourinho when he was at Benfica and when we were in doubts about something, he would call Mourinho; it was a huge privilege to work under him and it helped my career as a coach. I can’t but thank Morales for the wonderful introduction to coaching,” noted Amuneke who would be 49 on December 25.

     

    AMUNEKE: FIVE KEY QUESTIONS

    Q1: Tanzania are in a difficult Group C along with Algeria, Senegal and Kenya at the AFCON, what is your expectations of the Taifa Stars?

    We would give our best and that is one thing I’m sure of but I can’t say now where it would lead us to. But I have a feeling that Tanzania would make good impression at the AFCON in Egypt. I’m inspired with what the new generation of coaches like Jurgen Klopp with Liverpool; Pep Guardiola with Manchester City; Mauricio Pochettino of Spurs and several others are doing; I think we can also contribute something to the development of African football.

    Q2: Some people are already predicting a final match between the Pharaohs of Egypt and the Super Eagles of Nigeria, what are your thoughts about this?

    Of course, both team have good players and Egypt would be a strong force with Mohammed Sallah but whether Nigeria and Egypt would be the last two teams standing is something nobody can be certain of. We have to wait till the kick off in June and see how all the 24 teams would compete. For now, my fingers are crossed.

    Q3: You’re a member of the CAF Technical Study Group (TSG) for the recently concluded U-17 AFCON, is there hope for African football with the calibre of talents at the championship?

    I want to commend all the teams because they gave a good account of themselves. The essences of this competition is developmental not win or lose, the teams have to be commended because we have seen some new talents coming through. I’m impressed with Morocco because they are very drilled and disciplined team. The top scorer from Angola is a good player and I’m also impressed with Cameroon’s number 10 (Steve Regis Mvoue). Kudos to coach Manu Garba and Nduka Ugbade because they came up with some good young players to the tournament. I like the number 13 (Akinkunmi Amoo);14 (Alfred Olaniyan) and number 9 (Wisdom Ubani) reminds me of Victor Osimhen who was our star striker in 2015 when we won the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile. But these players need a lot of guidance in the coming years so that they are not misled.

    Q4: Talking about Osimhen and other players that passed through your hands at the U-17 level in Nigeria, are they good to be part of the Super Eagles for the AFCON In Egypt?

    It would be exciting to see them at the AFCON but they can only make the squad by showing what they can do to the Super Eagles technical crew. I’m happy that a lot of the players that we took to Chile in 2015 are really coming up and that is a confirmation of the good job we did at that level. They went through the process of education both theory and practical; they understand the process of the game and what need to be done at every point. I’m happy that God gave all of us both the technical and backroom staff of which you belong, the wisdom to mould these players. I remain grateful that these boys played with their hearts under me and maybe I would have the opportunity of still coach them again in the future.

    Q5: What are the things you don’t compromise as a coach?

    Honesty and injustice. To succeed as a coach, you have to be honest with yourself and the team. Once you give your best to the team by working hard you don’t have problem with me. The second for me is that you don’t deny people their rights.

  • Amuneke

    Some Lagos ball fans could still remember, and recall with zest and fondness, the exploits of Juma Pondamali, the Tanzanian national team goalkeeper, and his heroics at the 1980 African Cup of Nations in Lagos.

    The then Green Eagles, the Nigerian national football team, had in the opening match, raced to a 3:0 lead.  But then, the Tanzanians began a comeback with two straight goals!  The stung Eagles responded with a blitz of attacks.  But they had the cheeky, heroic, and acrobatic Pondamali to to contend with.  Eventually, Nigeria nicked a final fourth goal to wrap up the match at 4:2.

    But the abiding hero of the evening was Pondamali.  Still, he could have ended up the villain, had Tanzania won, or even levelled up.  That was 1980 Lagos and its fickle fans!

    Which is why it is gratifying that 39 years later, it would be a Nigerian, Emmanuel Amuneke, that would restore to Tanzania Nations Cup action, since that 1980 exploits of Pondamali, who before the coming of the Nigerian, was drafted in as Taifa Stars goalkeeper trainer.

    On the face of it, Tanzania’s triumph was not spectacular.  Qualifying for AFCON with eight points from a maximum 18 available can’t be said to be brilliant by any standard.  But it was good enough to nick a second place after Uganda, ironically the same neighbouring country the hosts took to the slaughter slab, on that memorable day at the National Stadium, Dar-es-Salam.

    Still, it was the stuff with which epochal records are set.  To start with, Tanzania put three un-replied goals past Uganda — Uganda that, all through the qualifying series, had not conceded a single goal.  Then, on that memorable night too, Tanzania made AFCON qualification, 39 years after their last participation in that championship.

    But as much as qualification matters for that East African country, which not a few still consider football innocents, the attractive brand of football Amuneke’s Tanzania played was simply a breath of fresh air — short and crisp passes, fluid midfield and a sharp and potent attack, that somewhat hints at the “Barcelona” still left in Amuneke.  In his playing days as an imperious winger, Amuneke had stints at the Catalan Camp Nou.

    But also beyond national glory for Tanzania, it is also personal redemption for Amuneke.  Amuneke in 2015 went to FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile, and his Golden Eaglets became world champions.  It was the cadet team of Victor Osimhen, Kelechi Nwakali and other young and twinkling stars.

    That team graduated into the national U-20, but couldn’t even qualify for the African championships proper.  That was because it got eliminated by Sudan in what could pass for a freak.  The Flying Eagles had won the first leg 1:0 away but lost the return leg in Lagos 2:3.  Thus, they got eliminated on superior away goals difference.

    So Amuneke, supposed the new rising star in the Nigerian football coaching galaxy, plummeted like a comet, after but a brief dazzle!  But then shortly after, came the Tanzania offer, which many didn’t think much would come out of.  With Tanzania’s AFCON qualification, therefore, it’s a new dawn of personal redemption, for Amuneke, in his coaching career.

    Nigerians are very critical of their own, particularly in the fickle field of Nigerian football, with the penchant to win all of the time.  But it is clear that despite organization that painfully lags behind talent and competence, in Nigerian footballers and coaches, there would appear some innate qualities to be acknowledged and cheered.

    First, it was Stephen Keshi (God bless his soul!) that took tiny Togo to the World Cup for the very first time; and later became only the second in history to win AFCON as both player (Tunisia 1994) and coach (South Africa 2013).  Now, it is Amuneke breaking, for Tanzania, a 39-year AFCON voodoo.

    While we congratulate Amuneke for his historic feat, wishing he would twinkle with Taifa Stars to further develop that country’s football, we call on Nigerians to start celebrating the best from our country. That shows the great heights Nigeria can attain, if we all put in our minds and hearts.