Golden Eaglets’ players have extolled the fatherly role Coach Emmanuel Amuneke played in their victory in the FIFA Under-17 World Cup in Chile, as they bask in the euphoria of winning the trophy for a record fifth time.
Goals from Victor Osimhen and Funsho Bamgboye brought down the Les Aiglonnets of Mali at the Estadio Sausalito in Vina del Mar.
Osimhen, whose 10 goals fetched him the Golden Boot and the Silver Ball awards – and who eclipsed Florent Pongelle and Souleymane Coulibaly’s record of most goals scored in a single tournament – thanked Amuneke for impacting positively on the team.
“I want to thank him for what he has impacted in us and I’m also grateful to my teammates who helped me to break the record,” a delighted Osimhen was quoted by the NFF website.
Bamgboye, who missed the semifinal tie against Mexico, said the encouragement he received from Amuneke brought out the best in him.
“I was highly motivated to go for the kill by the coach. He convinced me that I can do it and that I should show the stuff in me.
“That perhaps contributed to my goal and I will ever be grateful to him for giving me the opportunity to prove myself,” Bamgboye added.
Golden Ball winner, Kelechi Nwakali, who missed the 2013 edition in the United Arab Emirates, said Amuneke, former African Player of the Year, “is more than a coach to us. He is a father and I want to thank him so much.
“It is always the dream of every young player to win the World Cup and we are happy that he has helped us to achieve this glory.”
With Nigeria’s feat on Sunday, November 8, it becomes the first country to win the U-17 World Cup five times and will be gunning for a sixth title in India in 2017.
Amuneke also praised his team’s performance and said the players are worthy to be champion.
His words: “We wanted to bring the players to their dreams and we did it. Thanks for the support from all and sundry in Chile. We feel like we are at home.
“We have worked very hard for this success and we hope to continue. For the players, their journey is not over yet.
“Personally I’m really happy. I have football in my blood, as a player and as a coach. This is what I want to pass to my players.”
Amuneke’s coaching stint has taken off to a great start that has culminated in unveiling talented young players like tournament record scorer, Osimhen, and best player, Nwakali, among others.
The Golden Eaglets defeated the United States 2-0 in their first Group A match and beat hosts Chile 5-1 in the second match. But they lost 2-1 to Croatia in their last group match, the only defeat the team suffered at the tournament.
In the Round of 16, the team walloped Australia 6-0 to set up a quarterfinal match against former champions, Brazil, whom they edged out 3-0 to pave the way for a semifinal tie against Mexico.
They hit the Mexicans 4-2 before battling the Malians in the final.
