Football · Super Eagles · No. 7
Emmanuel Amunike
Two goals in the 1994 AFCON final and the Olympic winner in 1996.
- 1994African Footballer of the Year
- 2Goals in 1994 AFCON final
- 1996Olympic final winner
- 2015U-17 world title as coach
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From Eziobodo to Cairo
Emmanuel Amunike (often spelt Amuneke) was born on 25 December 1970 in Eziobodo, Imo State. He played for Concord FC and Julius Berger in Lagos, and was spotted by Egypt’s Zamalek at the 1991 All-Africa Games.
Club career
| Club | Years | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Zamalek | 1991 to 1994 | Egyptian league 1992, 1993; African Champions Cup 1993 |
| Sporting CP | 1994 to 1996 | |
| Barcelona | 1996 to 2000 | Knee injuries limited his time |
| Albacete | 2000 to 2002 |
Two finals, three goals
Amunike had not played a minute of the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations before the final in Tunis. He scored both goals in the 2-1 win over Zambia. At the 1994 World Cup he scored against Bulgaria and gave Nigeria the lead against Italy. Two years later, in the 1996 Olympic final, his late volley beat Argentina 3-2 and won Nigeria the gold medal. He was African Footballer of the Year 1994.
Coach
As coach of the Golden Eaglets he won the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile, with Victor Osimhen in his team. He took Tanzania to AFCON 2019, their first in 39 years, and since August 2024 has coached Heartland FC of Owerri.
More Nigerian football
Football in Nigeria
Nigeria’s favourite sport and its national teams.Read more
History of Nigerian football
From the barefoot 1949 tour to Olympic gold.Read more
Super Eagles
Nigeria’s men’s team: 3 AFCON titles, 6 World Cups.Read more
Super Eagles at the World Cup
Every World Cup from USA 1994 to Russia 2018.Read more
Quick answers
Emmanuel Amunike: quick answers
Who scored in the 1994 AFCON final?
Emmanuel Amunike scored both goals as Nigeria beat Zambia 2-1 in Tunis.
Who scored the winner in the 1996 Olympic final?
Emmanuel Amunike, late in the game, for a 3-2 win over Argentina.