Amuneke gets Flying Eagles job

Fifa Under-17 World Cup-winning coach, Emmanuel Amuneke, has been elevated to the post of coach of the national Under-20 side, the Flying Eagles.

Amuneke led a band of exciting teenagers like Samuel Chukwueze, Victor Osimhen and Kelechi Nwakali to win the Under-17 World Cup title in Chile last year and has now been rewarded.

Feelers from the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) suggested Amuneke got the nod ahead of Manu Garba because it was agreed it would be better he continues with the same set of players who are expected to progress to the under-20 level.

Amuneke was assistant to Garba in 2013 when the Golden Eaglets won the trophy at the Fifa Under-17 World Cup in the UAE and made an excellent transition when handed the reins after Manu got the Under-20 job.

In a reversal of fortunes, Manu will now groom a new set of under-17 players for the next Fifa Under-17 World Cup to be hosted by India.

The NFF Executive Committee endorsed the recommendation of the Technical and Development Committee and approved Emmanuel Amuneke as the new coach of the Flying Eagles after a meeting in Abuja on Tuesday.

“The Committee endorsed the recommendation of the Technical and Development Committee for the reconstitution of the technical crew of the Under-20 National Team, Flying Eagles,” at statement from the Executive Committee read.

“Erstwhile under-17 head coach, Emmanuel Amuneke, now heads the under-20 crew with Kabiru Baleria and Emeka Amadi as assistant coach and goalkeeper trainer respectively."

Amuneke’s first task will be to navigate the Flying Eagles towards qualifying for the Caf Under-20 Nations Cup to be hosted by Zambia.