Veteran Super Eagles winger and former assistant coach of the Super Eagles, Emmanuel Amuneke have denied claims that he picked Egyptian winger Mohammed Salah over Nigeria’s hitman Victor Osimhen.
In a viral video seen and reported by Chronicle NG Amuneke, reportedly picked Salah when asked, according to the video, his choice among the trio of Mohammed Salah, Victor Osimhen and Achraf Hakimi.
Amuneke, however, denied the claims while speaking Nigerian Sports Village Square, moderated by a sports 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.” Amuneke stated.
Giving his account on what led to his choice of Salah the former Barcelona winger said, “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 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 and I lived in Egypt and I know some of the guys there.
“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 a time in our culture in Nigeria – with all due respect to you guys, we should stop spreading false news and stop creating false impression to the people. We are journalists and our responsibility is to inform the public what is right.”
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