Emmanuel Amunike clarifies controversial comments on African Player of the Year pick

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Former Barcelona winger, Emmanuel Amuneke, has addressed the recent controversy surrounding his choice of Mohamed Salah over Victor Osimhen for the 2023 African Player of the Year award. The football great insists that his comments were taken out of context.

In a viral video posted on the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) social media platforms prior to the award announcement, Amuneke expressed his preference for Egypt and Liverpool star Mohamed Salah. This choice triggered a backlash from Nigerians, who criticized the former Super Eagles forward, labeling him as ‘unpatriotic’ and suggesting envy towards Napoli’s Victor Osimhen, who eventually clinched the coveted title.

Amuneke, reacting to the uproar, dismissed the criticism and implied that his words were misunderstood. Speaking on the Nigerian Sports Village Square, moderated by veteran journalist Osasu Obayiuwana, Amuneke clarified, “I want you to understand the rumors that you guys are spreading concerning me not voting Osimhen. I was never elected to vote.”

The 1994 African Player of the Year explained that during a discussion about the Arabian team, a former player and captain of the Egyptian national team asked him to choose between Hakimi and Salah. Amuneke stated, “There was a 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, I lived in Egypt, and I know some of the guys there.”

Amuneke emphasized that there was no intention to vote against Osimhen, highlighting the achievements of the 24-year-old striker, who was part of Amuneke’s Nigeria U17 squad that won the 2015 FIFA U17 World Cup.

The football legend urged Nigerians to refrain from spreading false news and creating false impressions, emphasizing the responsibility of journalists to inform the public accurately.

Victor Osimhen, with 31 goals in 39 matches for Napoli last season, claimed the African Player of the Year award, joining the ranks of Nigerian football greats such as Rasheed Yekini, Amuneke, Nwankwo Kanu, and Victor Ikpeba.