Emmanuel Amuneke: ‘Zamalek missed chance to sign Victor Osimhen’

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

Former Nigeria winger, Emmanuel Amuneke says Egyptian side, Zamalek missed the chance of signing Napoli forward, Victor Osimhen.

Amuneke coached Osimhen at the national U-17 level as the Golden Eaglets won the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile.

The Napoli star scored ten goals in seven games to emerge as the tournament’s top goal scorer and second-best player.

Afterward, Amuneke asserted that he suggested Osimhen to his former club, Zamalek before he decided to move to the German side, Wolfsburg.

“I don’t want to delve into many details about the matter of offering Osimhen to Zamalek,” Amuneke told MBC Masr.

“Zamalek is always my club, and whenever I see a good player, I will do the same. One of the problems we face in Africa is the lack of courage in giving opportunities to young players.

“We always look for the ready player in Africa, although the young ones are the stars of the future.

“I suggested Osimhen’s name to people at Zamalek, and the answer was ‘We are going to watch him’, but nothing happened.”

Osimhen had a difficult spell at Wolfsburg and was sent on loan to Charleroi before making waves at French side Lille at the end of the 2019/2020 season.

He helped Napoli claim the Serie A title last season as the league’s top goal scorer and emerged as African Player of the Year, ending Nigeria’s 24-year wait.