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Amuneke rues lack of coaching opportunities for African coaches in Spain

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Former Nigeria international footballer, Emmanuel Amuneke has been left disappointed over the lack of opportunities available to African coaches in Spain.

Amuneke spent six out of his 11 years club career with Barcelona and Albacete, after a previous stint with Sporting CP in Portugal started his coaching career with Saudi club – Al Hazam (assistant) in 2008 before taking over Nigeria’s U-17 squad for three years from 2014-2017.

He also managed Sudanese side Al Khartoum from 2017-2018 before taking over Tanzania’s national football team from 2018-2019,  where he managed their national team, leading them to their first Africa Cup of Nations in 2019 but was sacked after a poor outing.

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Amuneke who led Nigeria to 2015 U17 World Cup glory in Chile is now an Academy Advisor with Egytian side Misr Lel Makkasa.

In an interview with BBC Sport Africa, the 1994 African Player of the Year said: “It’s frustrating and disappointing that despite playing here and undergoing your coaching training in Spain, Africans are never considered for a job in the country.

“I returned to Spain after winning the Under-17 World Cup and applied for jobs in the Spanish Leagues, but I was overlooked and not even shortlisted for interviews.

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“A second division side in Spain showed strong interest through an agent, but despite my experience of playing in Spain, undertaking my coaching trainings here and winning the World Cup, it was not enough for them to put their trust in me.

“I’m not discouraged about this situation. I will continue to make myself available for any opportunities that may come or any vacant jobs that are open because Spain is where my family lives.”

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“You can only keep knocking on different doors politely with a positive mindset that one day they will open it for you,” he continued.

“No one should feel entitled to any job or seek a tokenism role, but instead continue to seek an equal opportunity like other managers.

“You never know, the next job might be in the Spanish league or elsewhere. I am happy with what I have achieved and what I am doing.

“I can only continue to stay optimistic and hopefully the objective [to manage in Spain] will be achieved.”

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