Emmanuel Amunike, the former Super Eagles winger and renowned coach, has addressed the recent controversy surrounding his alleged vote for Mohamed Salah over Victor Osimhen in the 2023 CAF African Player of the Year award.
Amunike vehemently refuted the claims, stating that he was never appointed as a voting member for the CAF Awards. He clarified that the widely circulated video that sparked the controversy depicted a Moroccan journalist asking him to choose between Salah and Achraf Hakimi, not Victor Osimhen.
“I have never been appointed as a voter for the CAF Awards. A Moroccan journalist approached me, asking ‘Hakimi or Salah.’ I chose Salah due to my past experience in Egypt, having played and lived there, thereby being familiar with some of its players. Osimhen was never a part of that conversation,” Amunike affirmed.
Amidst the uproar, Victor Osimhen, Amunike’s compatriot, emerged victorious as the CAF African Player of the Year during the awards ceremony on Monday, triumphing over formidable competitors Salah and Hakimi.
The controversy stirred by the viral video and subsequent reports regarding Amunike’s alleged preference for Salah over Osimhen in the voting process has caused a stir within the football community.
Amunike’s clarification sheds light on the context behind his supposed selection and emphasizes that his choice was in response to a specific query from a journalist rather than an official vote.
Victor Osimhen’s recognition as the African Player of the Year further solidifies his impact and influence within the footballing sphere.
As Amunike’s statement sets the record straight, the focus remains on Osimhen’s outstanding achievement and the celebration of his exceptional talent and contributions to African football.
