Nigeria’s Super Eagles striker, Victor Osimhen on the back of grabbing the African Men’s Footballer of the Year award at the CAF Awards in Morocco appreciated his legendary compatriot Emmanuel Amunike, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.
Osimhen in as a 16 year-old boy was nurtured by Amunike, the then Nigeria U-17 coach who together with team won the FIFA U-17 World Cup.
Young Osimhen in the tournament in 2015 was awarded the Golden Boot and the Silver Ball.
The Napoli striker has since then gone to be a household name in football, winning tittles and awards.
And on one of those nights in Marrakech, Morocco, Osimhen acknowledged the role of the trainer of his teenage years, Amunike.
“First of l will like to say thank. Special thanks goes to Mr Emmanuel Amunike, without him, I don’t think I will be standing in front of you guys holding one of the most prestigious award in world football,” Osimhen said.
It’s a dream a dream come true for me.”
Osimhen becomes the first Nigerian player to win the African Men’s Footballer of the Year award since Nwankwo Kanu last won it in 1999.
By Olujimi Dare Ogun