Nigerian coach, Emmanuel Amuneke, has voiced his words of commendation to Kelechi Nwakali over his club Huesca’s promotion to the Spanish top flight, LaLiga, at the conclusion of the 2019/2020 Spanish Segunda division campaign, Completesports.com reports.
Amuneke handed Nwakali the captain’s armband as Nigeria’s U17s – the Golden Eaglets, went all the way to win the 2015 FIFA U17 World Cup in Chile. Nwakali emerged as the most Valuable Player, MVP of the tournament. It was Nigeria fifth U-17 World Cup following the previous feats at UAE 2013, South Korea 2007, Japan ’93 and China ’85 victories.
Amuneke, who is the Sporting Director of Egyptian Premier League side, Misr El Mikkasa, also charges the Nigerian youngster to make hard work his watchword ahead the tough LaLiga challenges in the 2020/2021 season.
“I’m happy for him and his club,” starts Amuneke when he spoke with Complete Sports from his base in Egypt on Monday morning.
“He (Nwakali), called me to inform me of his club’s promotion to the Spanish top flight, LaLiga.
“I congratulated him, at least for his efforts in driving his club to the LaLiga. It is important he realises that hard work is the key especially as they campaign in the tough LaLiga.
“I’ve been communicating with them, [Samuel] Chukwueze, calls me regularly. He chats often and I always let him know that discipline and hard work leads to career success,” Amuneke tells Complete Sports.
Also Read – Amapakabo: How W/Cup Win With Golden Eaglets Swayed My Parents To Support My Football
The former Zamalek of Egypt and FC Barcelona winger whose brace helped Super Eagles scoop the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations in Tunisia at the expense of Chipolopolo of Zambia in a 2-1 triumph, discloses that the potentials of his 2015 U-17 World Conquering players is yet to fully come to fruition.
“When we were preparing for the FIFA tournament in Chile, nobody gave us any slightest chance,” he states.
“We were written off by our own compatriots. They said the team was not good, probably because, those they expected or wanted to be in the team were not there.
“But in life, everything we do had been predetermined by God, in His hands lies the success or otherwise, of our efforts. Once you make honesty and hard work your watchword, success is bound to come.
“Today, everybody is talking about Victor Osimhen, Samuel Chukwueze and Kelechi Nwakali. They are the same players that were written off before we went to Chile. They did not only, went, saw and conquered the world in Chile, the rejected players have become the major talking point of our senior national team, Super Eagles.
“Of course, there are still others like Kingsley Michael who is in Italy with Cremonese, a Serie B side on loan from Bologna and Orji Okonkwo who plays for Montreal Impact on loan from Bologna, amongst others.
“Hopefully, they will get the opportunity to blossom on the big stage like others”, Amuneke concludes.
By Sab Osuji
