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Amaju Pinnick, a former president of Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, has advised Emmanuel Amuneke to focus on doing well domestically.
Pinnick claims that the national team would be the next step, if Amuneke can win achieve success with Heartland.
Ahead of the 2022 World Cup play-offs against the Black Stars of Ghana, Amuneke was drafted in as an assistant coach for the Super Eagles.
However, two years later, Finidi George got the job and Amuneke missed out.
“I like him. But we also think some local clubs need help from ex-international players,” Pinnick said on the Sunday Oliseh Global Football Insights Podcast.
“Let him focus there and take the club to success. We need Nigerian clubs to win the CAF Champions League again.
“Once that happens, it will be natural for him to move to the Super Eagles.”
Ghanaian referee, Daniel Nii Laryea, is not bothered about the criticisms of his officiating, as Nigeria lost on penalties to Morocco in the semi-final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations on Wednesday night.
The game was decided via spot-kicks after it ended goalless in 120 minutes.
However, Laryea was the target of backlash on social media, as many Nigerian pundits and fans accused him of favouring the Atlas Lions.
One of such ‘questionable’ calls was the booking of Calvin Bassey, which has ruled him out of the rest of the tournament.
Super Eagles duo Akor Adams and Bright Osayi-Samuel also publicly criticizes Nii Laryea’s officiating.
When asked about the criticisms, Laryea said on Sporty TV: “No, it’s okay. It’s football.”
The Super Eagles were beaten 4-2 on penalties by Morocco in the semi-final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations on Wednesday night.
