Mo Salah over Osimhen: Ex-Barcelona star Amuneke responds strongly amidst barrage of criticisms

The football great suggests he was quoted out of context in the video that has thrown social media into a frenzy

Former Barcelona winger, Emmanuel Amuneke, has cleared the air on his choice of Mohamed Salah over Victor Osimhen when African legends were asked about their pick for the 2023 African Player of the Year crown, Soccernet.ng reports.

In the viral video posted on CAF’s social media handles prior to the announcement, the former Super Eagles forward voiced his preference for the Egypt and Liverpool star.



That sparked a backlash among Nigerians as the 52-year-old was tagged as ‘unpatriotic’ while some felt he was being envious of the Napoli star – who emerged as Africa’s best having overcome Salah and Morocco star Achraf Hakimi.

Amid the rage, Amuneke had little patience with the undermining comments from his countrymen, while insinuating that he was quoted out of context.

“Good morning house, I want to use this opportunity to clear what some of you are saying in this platform. With all due respect to every one of you that I owe with high regard,” the 1994 African Player of the Year said on Nigerian Sports Village Square moderated by veteran journalist Osasu Obayiuwana.

“First of all, I want you to understand the rumours that you guys are [spreading] concerning me not voting Osimhen. I was never elected to vote.

“On our way to the novelty game that we played in Marrakech here, a former player and captain of the Egyptian national team – who is preparing himself to become a TV producer in Egypt – with his group, he was debating on the Arabian team, and he raised the question between Hakimi and Salah.

“There was a time Osimhen was mentioned in that discussion. He came to me and asked ‘Hakimi or Salah’. I have to say Salah. And the reason why I said Salah was because I played in Egypt, I lived in Egypt and I know some of the guys there.”




For context, Osimhen was part of Amuneke’s Nigeria U17 squad that won the 2015 FIFA U17 World Cup. There, the Lagos-born goal machine scooped the Golden Boot and Silver Ball honours.

Amuneke continued: “So, there is nothing like voting against Osimhen. Osimhen is our player and our boy. We are happy about what he has achieved, and we hope he would continue to dream and achieve more for the betterment of his career and the betterment of Nigeria.

“It has come to a time in our culture in Nigeria – with all due respect to you guys, we should stop spreading false news and stop creating false impressions among the people. We are journalists, and our responsibility is to inform the public what is right.”

Osimhen, 24, scored 31 goals in 39 matches for the Italian side last season as they won their first Serie A title since 1990.

He joins Rasheed Yekini, Amuneke, Nwankwo Kanu and Victor Ikpeba in the hallowed ranks of Nigerians to have claimed the award.

https://soccernet.ng/2023/12/mo-salah-over-osimhen-ex-barcelona-star-amuneke-responds-strongly-amidst-barrage-of-criticisms.html/amp

According to Fifa rules.

Na World Cup year.. Archimi went far than others. He should win it. Fifa with shaky rules. 😂

Natbrowny:
According to Fifa rules.

Na World Cup year.. Archimi went far than others. He should win it. Fifa with shaky rules. 😂

What is the rules?

Anyway the award is an individual award based on the players performance and overall contribution

Osimhen won it because he helped his team Napoli won the serial A title a feat it took Maradona for Napoli to achieve ànd after 33 years Osimhen did it.

And Osimhen winning it won the highest goal scorer award the first time an African is doing it in over 100 years.

He achieved what George Weah first African Balondor winner couldn't do
Ànd what Samuel Eto'o couldn't do

In the national team, for world cup qualifiers he is the highest goals scorer with 10 goals while the second person Sadio mane have just 5 goals


Ok apart from been part of PSG trophy winning team what's Hakimi contribution. They would have still won it without him.

Ok world cup year, yes Morocco did Africa proud.
So what's exceptional contribution of Hakimi

Osimhen on Balondor was ranked 8th in the world where is Hàkimi


Park well

You go explain tire....wallaihi ba ke da evidence.

“There was a time Osimhen was mentioned in that discussion. He came to me and asked ‘Hakimi or Salah’. I have to say Salah. And the reason why I said Salah was because I played in Egypt, I lived in Egypt and I know some of the guys there.”

Nah Envy go BEND some people.

robosky02:



What is the rules?

Anyway the award is an individual award based on the players performance and overall contribution

Osimhen won it because he helped his team Napoli won the serial A title a feat it took Maradona for Napoli to achieve ànd after 33 years Osimhen did it.

And Osimhen winning it won the highest goal scorer award the first time an African is doing it in over 100 years.

He achieved what George Weah first African Balondor winner couldn't do
Ànd what Samuel Eto'o couldn't do

In the national team, for world cup qualifiers he is the highest goals scorer with 10 goals while the second person Sadio mane have just 5 goals


Ok apart from been part of PSG trophy winning team what's Hakimi contribution. They would have still won it without him.

Ok world cup year, yes Morocco did Africa proud.
So what's exceptional contribution of Hakimi

Osimhen on Balondor was ranked 8th in the world where is Hàkimi


Park well

why the noise. he wasnt elected and it is false information. leave it at that

It's personal for Amuneke

His choice

Osihmen any time

I believe you

He must be among those who didn't vote for Osimhen in the Balon D'or Pool.

Very Bad from a presumed Elder in Football.

Na jealousy go finally kill this werey

Funniest thing was that Victor thanked amunike in his speech for his support. Na only poor people they carry rich people opinion serious for head 😜.

Natbrowny:
According to Fifa rules.

Na World Cup year.. Archimi went far than others. He should win it. Fifa with shaky rules. 😂

When Messi was second in a world cup year, did he win it? When Iniesta was first in a world cup year did He win it?

Amuneke deserves all the Criticism.

Though Salah scored lots of goals in 2023 and was 2nd Highest Goalscoring in the EPL behind Erling Haaland,
He didn't win any Trophy with Liverpool.

OSIHMEN won the Series A title + Capoconaire with Napoli.

You go explain tire

Amunike, we are waiting for you. You can never become a Nigeria Super Eagles coach again. Osehmen deserves it and Amunike was envious of the young man.

Na today? E don try wey the country get bad belle people some are moving right, majority are moving left how can such a country progress?

Better

Na his choice.



But why are the people that no allow other tribes to vote in their region in last presidential election now attacking him.




I remember one of their friend voting against Okonjo Iweala in the same international stage.

Lol. Napoli would trade Osimhen in a sec over Sallah. It’s a fact! But Osimhen deserves the W

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Natbrowny:
According to Fifa rules.

Na World Cup year.. Archimi went far than others. He should win it. Fifa with shaky rules. 😂

So it's only world cup they'll use to rate players performance?

Natbrowny:
According to Fifa rules.

Na World Cup year.. Archimi went far than others. He should win it. Fifa with shaky rules. 😂

Which World Cup year?😏

Did the Qatar world cup take place this year?😏😏
It ended December 18th, 2022!

I don't know why Qatar WC should be used to give Players, Awards in 2023!

This is why I insist Messi NEVER deserved the 2023 Ballon'd given to him.

People like to spread rumours to cause disaffection!

robosky02:



What is the rules?

Anyway the award is an individual award based on the players performance and overall contribution

Osimhen won it because he helped his team Napoli won the serial A title a feat it took Maradona for Napoli to achieve ànd after 33 years Osimhen did it.

And Osimhen winning it won the highest goal scorer award the first time an African is doing it in over 100 years.

He achieved what George Weah first African Balondor winner couldn't do
Ànd what Samuel Eto'o couldn't do

In the national team, for world cup qualifiers he is the highest goals scorer with 10 goals while the second person Sadio mane have just 5 goals


Ok apart from been part of PSG trophy winning team what's Hakimi contribution. They would have still won it without him.

Ok world cup year, yes Morocco did Africa proud.
So what's exceptional contribution of Hakimi

Osimhen on Balondor was ranked 8th in the world where is Hàkimi


Park well

Leave them to be talking nonesense

Omo, it seems many of you didn't read the post or you guys just lack understanding. It's like you guys have what I call, rigidity of thinking. What you have already concluded in your mind, no matter the contrary to that, you guys would still maintain your stance. The man clearly stated the context and you guys are still claiming He did what He was alleged to do. Let's even assume it's true, if Everyone votes for their country man, will Osimhen win?

Waiting concern me, my boy osimhen has finally won the award...

That is all that matters

A lot of dunce are littering the front page

et tu brute amunike. let me find out amunike is an obedient who votes against anything nigerian after peter obi loss. maybe he see agbado for osimhen pocket

And same Napoli didn't see Sallah to carry when he was playing in Roma?

iLoveYouToo:
Lol. Napoli would trade Osimhen in a sec over Sallah. It’s a fact! But Osimhen deserves the W

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