Emmanuel Amuneke (Photo: Getty image)
‘Amuneke’s last coaching job was with Zambia’s Zanaco FC, where he served as both coach and consultant until 2023’
By Valentine Amanze
Nigeria’s Under-17 World Cup winning manager and Super Eagles ex-winger, Mr. Emmanuel Amuneke, has taken over as the new manager of the Imo State government-owned Heartland Football Club of Owerri.
Amuneke succeeded former international, Christian Obi, who took the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) club to relegation in the 2023/24 season.
Already, Amuneke has kick-started the rebuilding of the team, by throwing the camp open for a two-week screening and recruitment of new players for the upcoming season.
Amuneke, 53, has extensive coaching experience both domestically and internationally.
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Amuneke, who is a member of CAF Technical Team, previously coached Julius Berger and Ocean Boys in Nigeria before leading the Nigeria U-17 team to World Cup victory in 2015.
He also managed Tanzania’s national team, leading them to the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, and had roles with Egypt’s Misr El Makkasa and as an assistant coach of Nigeria’s national team.
Amuneke also played for Julius Berger FC of Nigeria, Zamalek of Egypt and Barcelona FC of Spain before retiring as a footballer.
Amuneke’s last coaching job was with Zambia’s Zanaco FC, where he served as both coach and consultant until 2023.
Recently, he applied for the Super Eagles head coach position, but the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) chose Finidi George instead.
Recall that Heartland FC was relegated from the NPFL after finishing 19th in the 20-team league last season.
The club is reportedly planning to buy the NPFL slot of Beyond Limits, who earned promotion from the Nigeria National League (NNL) but face participation issues due to their affiliation with Remo Stars.
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