Former Super Eagles winger Emmanuel Amuneke has quashed insinuations he voted against Victor Osimhen in the recently concluded CAF African player of the year award.
Amuneke who coached Osimhen in the 2015 class of Golden Eaglets that won the FIFA U-17 World Cup, faced harsh criticism on social media after a video emerged of him choosing between Achrat Hakimi and Mohammed Salah for the awards.
But he clarified Tuesday morning that: “I want you to understand the rumours that you guys are [spreading] concerning me not voting Osimhen. I was never elected to vote.
“On our way to the novelty game that we played in Marrakech here, a former player and captain of the Egyptian national team – who is preparing himself to become a TV producer in Egypt – with his group, he was debating on the Arabian team and he raised the question between Hakimi and Salah.
“There was no time Osimhen was mentioned in that discussion. He came to me and asked ‘Hakimi or Salah’. I have to say Salah. And the reason why I said Salah was because I played in Egypt and I lived in Egypt and I know some of the guys there.
‘So, there is nothing like voting against Osimhen. Osimhen is our player and our boy. We are happy about what he has achieved and we hope he will continue to dream and achieve more for the betterment of his career and the betterment of Nigeria.”
Meanwhile Osimhen who became the first Nigerian player to win the award since 1999 said:”It’s a dream come true for me.
“I appreciate Nigerians for their support. I appreciate Africa for putting me on the map, encouraging me, and defending me, regardless of my shortcomings.”
