Fraudsters targeting Eaglets’ parents – Amuneke

Golden Eaglets coach Emmanuel Amuneke

Victorious Golden Eaglets coach Emmanuel Amuneke has issued a warning to the parents of the players over persons who are out to swindle them out of cash by promising to secure foreign contracts for their sons.

Nigeria won the FIFA Under-17 World Cup in Chile for a record five-time after beating their West African brothers Mali 2-0 in the November 8 final in Vina del Mar.

And a number of the victorious team, including the Golden Ball winner Kelechi Nwakali and the Golden Boot winner Victor Osimhen, have been linked with clubs in Europe.

But Tunisia ’94 Africa Cup of Nations winner Amuneke, who assisted Manu Garba when the Eaglets won the UAE 2013 FIFA Under-17 World Cup, is not happy that some persons have approached some of the players’ parents to demand money to get foreign clubs for their children.

“People are talking about our young players. They want to connect them (to clubs). It is good for us. It is good for our football,” the News Agency of Nigeria quoted the 1994 African Footballer of the Year as saying on Wednesday.

“Most of these players are from poor families. You have a lot of people going to their parents asking for money and the parents will sign. They don’t know what they are getting involved in.

“At the end of the day, it becomes a problem for the player; it becomes a big problem even for the nation. We have seen it with the last set of Eaglets.

“I pray their parents should not get carried away and I pray that they (players) themselves should remember their journey.”

The former Barcelona player says there is nothing wrong with players seeking greener pastures in foreign leagues to enhance their careers.

Amuneke urged the players to focus on their careers and work towards playing for the Super Eagles.

The ex-Eagles winger, who emerged as the hero of the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations after his brace helped Nigeria beat Zambia 2-1 to win their second African title, said the Eaglets should be allowed to developed before considering them for spots in the senior national team.

He said, “They have to go to the category they belong to; they have to finish with the Under 17 level.

“Let them face the challenge of Under 20. Gradually they will mature; they will learn more and they will become better footballers.

“I’m the one that trained them; I know them and I can categorically tell you that it will be better for them to go step by step and hopefully they will get there.”