Amuneke Receives A Christmas Surprise

Former FC Barcelona winger and coach
of the Golden Eaglets, Emmanuel
Amuneke got a surprise “44 ballon salute’
as he celebrated his 44, birthday on
Christmas day after the team’s the early
morning session at the NFF/FIFA Goal
Project in Abuja.
Amuneke who got a brace at the 1994
Africa Cup of Nations final against
Zambia was astonished as the NFF’s
Assistant Director(Technical), Coach Siji
Lagunju led the players in a fine rendition
of the famous birthday song:’ he’s a good
jolly fellow.
“This is a coup because all I wanted
today was to train in continuation of our
preparation towards Niger 2015. I’m
really humbled by your show of love to
me on this special day,”a shell-shocked
Amuneke said.
With the morning activities rounded off,
Team Amuneke mostly made up of
Golden Eaglets officials beat Golden
Eaglets’ possible 4-1 in a novelty match
full of fun and drama.
Tayo Egbaiyelo (MON), 2013 World Cup-
winning secretary, got the curtain raiser
for Team Amuneke when he converted
from the spot kick barely 10 minutes into
the 40-minute encounter. Three minutes
later, Golden Eaglets’ medical official, Dr.
Deji Olarinoye (MON) -famously called
NFA,-got the second goal courtesy of
another spot Kick that beat a badly
positioned goalkeeper Clinton Orji.
Meanwhile, winger Ndu Chinedu gave the
opposing side hope few minutes to the
end of the first half with a well-taken goal
as goalkeeper Amos Benjamin watched
the ball sailed into the net.
In the second half, birthday boy and
former Barcelona winger, Amuneke
crowned an impressive day with his
team’s third goal albeit from the spot yet
again.
Golden Eaglets’ defender, Bamidele
Ayodeji who was loaned to Team
Amuneke from the Eaglets’ probable
scored the last goal to the delight of
everyone.
“Today would remain a special day in our
lives because it marked the birthday of
coach Amuneke when we are in camp,”
said defender Lukman Halilu after the
players were feted with food and soft
drinks .
“Coach Amuneke is an inspiration to all of
us because he is a no-nonsense person
who wants only the best for us and by the
grace of God, we shall do our best in
Niger 2015 to give him a present for this
special day,” he stated.
Lagunju, meanwhile, heaped praises on
Amuneke for his sterling qualities both as
a former player and coach.
“I always knew that Emmanuel would be
a great player because he has remained
disciplined and humbled since I first met
him in 1991.Though he would say his
mind when he feel strongly about any
issue, he has remained level headed over
the years.
“I want to use this opportunity to thank all
the technical crew and back room staff
for the unity in the U-17 and may God
bless your efforts in Niger and Chile in
2015,”said Lagunju who star for Leventis
United and Iwuayanwu Nationale in his
heyday.