I Once Played An AFCON Qualifier With One Eye – Emmanuel Amunike

• Former Super Eagles international, Emmanuel Amunike recounts the events leading to the 1994 AFCON.

• Amunike reveals playing half blind during the final qualifier match that will see the Super Eagles qualify for the grand tournament.

• Nigeria went on to win the AFCON that year.

EKO HOT BLOG reports that former Nigerian footballer, Emmanuel Amunike has revealed that he played a World Cup final qualifier match with one eye.

The legendary footballer, who is now the head coach of Zambia Premier League side, Zanaco FC, shared his experience in an interview with Johnny Edward.

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Recalling his playing career, Amunike said winning the AFCON title in 1994 and the gold medal in the men’s football event of the 1996 Olympic Games were the highlights of his career. However, he also revealed the struggles and pain he went through while playing for the country.

Amunike explained how during a qualifier match against Algeria, he got hit by the ball in his eye and was unable to see for a few seconds. But he continued to play with one eye and helped the Super Eagles secure a point they needed to qualify for the 1994 World Cup.

Speaking about his role in the AFCON and Olympics finals, Amunike revealed that he did not expect to play in the final match of the 1994 AFCON tournament. He was on the bench from the first game until the final match. However, the chance came, and he grabbed it, making the headlines.

Amunike stated that the team was made up of great players, so there was no reason to be annoyed.

During the Olympics in Atlanta, Amunike said coach Jo Bonfrere had considered dropping him from the starting lineup for the final game. But he told the coach to play whoever would help the team win gold and not just those he thought deserved to play. And, as fate would have it, he scored the winner.

Amunike also spoke about his experience coaching teams outside Nigeria, saying that he loves the challenge and passing on knowledge to the next generation.

The former footballer won the African Cup of Nations with Nigeria in 1994 and the Olympic gold with the Super Eagles two years later.

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“It’s an amazing feeling to have scored such important goals for Nigeria to help win the AFCON title in 1994 and the Olympics in 1996. It consoles me each time I remember the struggles and pain I went through playing for the country; they remain the best goals I scored for my country.

“There was a qualifier I starred in against Algeria when the ball hit my eye. I could not see for seconds, but I was chasing the defender to retrieve the ball. We all knew we needed a point to qualify for the 1994 World Cup and we achieved that goal collectively.

“I ended up playing the game with one eye. Due to coach Clemens Westerhof’s tactical plan, I found myself on the bench from the first game at the 1994 AFCON until the final match. I did not expect that I would play the final but the chance came and I grabbed it, making the headlines.

“That team was made of great players, so, there was no reason to be annoyed. Instead, I was hungry sitting on the bench before the final. At the Olympics in Atlanta, I recall coach Jo Bonfrere telling me that there were calls for me to be dropped from the starting line-up for the final game. My reply to him was that he should play the players who would help the team win gold and not who he thinks deserves to play. If you decide that I should be on the bench, I will take my spot there and whenever you need me I will be ready. And it happened that I scored the winner. I was always honest with the national team throughout the years I spent there as a player and as coach.”

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