Osimhen praises Amunike, eyes AFCON title as Akide, Nkwocha celebrate Oshoala

Nigerian contingent to the 2023 CAF Awards: Former African Women’s Footballer of the Year, Perpetual Nkwocha (left); African Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year, Chiamaka Nnadozie; African Women’s Footballer of the Year, Asisat Oshoala; Former NFF President, Amaju Pinnick; NFF President, Ibrahim Gusau; African Footballer of the Year (men), Victor Osimhen and former African Women’s Footballer of the Year, Mercy Akide, at the awards ceremony in Marrakech, Morocco…on Monday.

‘African team can win World Cup soon’

Africa’s Footballer of the Year awardee, Victor Osimhen, in his greatest moment has not failed to recognise his days of little beginnings.

Still revelling in his recognition by Africa’s football royalty as the continent’s number one player of the game, Osimhen has singled out his former U-17 national team coach, Emmanuel Amunike, as the man who set him forth for his accomplishments in the game.

Amunike, also an African Footballer of the Year winner in his time, was Osimhen’s coach to the FIFA U-17 World Cup triumph, which exposed his talents to the world.

Speaking after receiving his award at Palais des Congrès, Marrakech, the 24-year-old Osimhen thanked his teammates and everyone that has supported his journey from the beginning.

He said: “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.”

Then pointing to Amunike, he said: “He 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