” Amunike has helped me a lot ” – Osimhen hails Former coach after CAF Player of the year award win

By Asuquo

Posted on December 12, 2023

Nigerian striker, Victor Osimhen has hailed his former coach, Emmanuel Amunike after clinching the 2023 CAF Men’s Player of the year Award In Morocco on Monday, December 11, 2023.

Osimhen was given his first international opportunity by Coach Emmanuel Amunike during his time as Nigeria’s U-17 national team coach.

The Napoli forward flourished under Amunike’s tutelage, scoring ten goals as Nigeria romped to the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup title in Chile.

On the podium in Marrakech, Morocco to receive his Men’s player of the year award, Osimhen elected to shower Amunike who was in the venue for the event with praise.

“He [Amunike] believed in me right from the start and was at the heart of our 2015 FIFA U17 World Cup victory in Chile.

He gave me the opportunity to really showcase myself and when things were not going well with me, he was the brain behind the motivation and it is absolutely right for me to acknowledge him at the biggest stage because behind closed doors, he has helped me a lot.

” He is present here and here to witness what he has produced,” an emotional Osimhen told CAFOnline.

Osimhen also expressed how he felt over becoming the first Nigerian winner of the award since Kanu Nwankwo lamded the prize in 1999.

“This feels good. It has been 24 years since a Nigerian – Nwankwo Kanu won this award. It is a very good feeling to have put Nigeria back on the map. I appreciate God for this,” the 24-year old said.

Osimhen edged Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi and Liverpool superstar to the top-prize.