After Specious Performance By Golden Eaglets, Nigerians In Togo Want Amuneke, Prince Udofia Fired

Emmanuel Amuneke’s coaching credentials and his comportment while with Nigeria’s Under 17 National Team have got Nigerians based in Togo, where the WAFU B Under 17 championship is being held, talking.

Involved in the formation of the Golden Eaglets that won the Fifa Under 17s in United Arab Emirates last year, the Nigeria Federation gave Amuneke a return ticket to manage the side after Manu Garba moved upstairs to tutor the Flying Eagles.

But the performance of the four - time world champions in Togo does not tick the right boxes, having failed to qualify for the final of the regional tourney.

Despite winning their opening two games against the same opposition( Mali), the team looked lacklustre before they were brought  down to earth by tiny Benin Republic.

And one of the reasons for the specious display by the young lads is that Emmanuel Amuneke and his lieutenants led by Prince Udofia  bypassed quality and used nepotism to select the players that made the 475 - mile journey to Lome.

A Nigerian based in Togo, Emmanuel Okafor(protecting his identity) told allnigeriasoccer.com :“This can not be the best players aged under 17 from Nigeria.

“There are suggestions here that the coach, Amuneke fielded his own players from his academy during the matches they have played in this tournament. And that is why they played badly.”

“If the team can not do well in a regional tournament, are we sure they can qualify for the CAF Under 17 championship not to talk of the World Cup?

“The Nigeria Football Federation should look into this, relieve him of his duties before it is too late,” Okafor added.

Borrowing a page from the popular idiom, “birds of the same feather flock together” as it is not only Emmanuel Amuneke that is involved in the sale of players in the junior national team.

Prince Udofia, the coordinator of the team, has also been caught with his hand in the cookie jar.

The official of Abia Comets is also involved in the sale of Golden Eaglets players.

Photo Credit : fifa.com