Nigerian legend Emmanuel Amunike sacked by Zanaco FC after poor season

Emmanuel Amunike, a revered figure in Nigerian football, has been unceremoniously shown the exit door by Zanaco FC, a Zambian Super League club, due to a dismal run of form in the current league season.

The former Super Eagles player, who was hired in a "consulting" role, led the team to an eight-game winless streak, ultimately resulting in his dismissal, along with that of his Nigerian assistant Emeka Amadi.

Zanaco FC, a seven-time champion in the Zambian league, has struggled this season, currently languishing in the 13th position with only 34 points after 28 games, having suffered ten defeats and managing only eight victories.

Despite Amunike's illustrious coaching career, which includes leading the Nigeria U-17 National team to victory in the FIFA U-17 Male World Cup in 2013 and 2015, his stint at Zanaco FC failed to yield positive results.

Amunike, who took over at Sunset Stadium in September 2022, had previously expressed his interest in coaching the Super Eagles, the Nigerian national team, as the current manager, Jose Peseiro, faces mounting pressure due to the team's lacklustre performances. However, Amunike's recent dismissal from Zanaco FC may hinder his prospects of securing the coveted role.

In a recent interview with Daily Post, Amunike said, "I have never coached the Super Eagles, I've only gone twice to assist someone, but coaching Super Eagles on my own, I have not done. But of course Nigeria is my country, and the national team, we are all part of it, and when the opportunity comes and Nigerians feel that we can add something to the national team, of course, it's a welcome development."

As Amunike's coaching career hits a rough patch, it remains to be seen if he will have another chance to fulfil his aspiration of leading the Super Eagles to glory in the future.