"We Are Nigerians & We’re Not Foolish" - Amuneke Slaps Football Agent Over Kelechi Iheanacho’s Transfer

According to a Premium Times report, Henry Galliano, an American football agent, was physically assaulted by assistant coach of Nigeria’s U-17 team, Emmanuel Amuneke, at the Rockview Hotel in Owerri.

The story claims that the incident occurred, because of Kelechi Iheanacho’s decision to pick Galliano as his agent, instead of the one recommended by Amuneke. Iheanacho, who was voted the best player at the just concluded U-17 World Cup in UAE, has been attracting interest from top European clubs and it is understood that he signed an agent deal with Galliano. A copy of this agreement was sent to the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, on October 21.

Recalling the incident, Galliano and his Nigerian partner, Solomon Oluwaseun, said: “The coach invited us, we went to see him and he started threatening Kelechi that he should follow him to Abuja to sign with his agent who is working with a Nasiru Jubril, a staff of the NFF; or else Nasiru, the man in charge of the ITC (International Transfer Certificate), will not release kelechi’s ITC to him and they will both make sure that he is banned from Nigeria football; also he will not get a good club.

“When the agent tried to talk back, the coach slapped him and beat him up in the presence of over 25 people,” Solomon said.

Galliano, on his parted said: “I came here to take Kelechi to his club. FC Porto and Manchester City are interested in him but Manchester City has a better package. This was our discussion and conclusion when Mr. Amuneke sent for me, and asked me to go back to my cousin.

“He called me names, beat me up and embarrassed me, he said it’s impossible to just take his players,” Galliano, who also accused Amuneke of making racist comments, said.

Galliano also revealed that Keshi threatened Iheanacho and ordered him to follow him to Abuja.

“Kelechi is nowhere to be found, he started crying after the threat made against him, the small boy is afraid and I hope he will not lose hope,” he said.

“Amuneke said he will delay his ITC and deal with him, he called vulgar words, cursing the boys and the players"

Iheanacho’s phone could not be contacted and his father refused to comment on the situation. Amuneke however confirmed that he indeed slapped Galliano, but denied involvement in Iheanacho’s possible transfer.

“Yes, of course I slapped him very well and I will do it again whenever I see him,” Amuneke said.

“He is an idiot, useless white man, he wants to come and reap where he didn’t sow.

“Kelechi is a nobody; yes, I said we helped him into the team, made him, moulded him into what he is today, he shouldn’t allow anybody to fool him.”

When asked about his role in the Iheanacho and other players’ transfer business, he replied: “I care so much for my players, I am a coach.”

“I’m not an agent but I just look out for the boys. He wants to come and sign a player just like that, he’s an idiot, I will not allow him.

“Because the boy’s parents are poor and illiterate, he wants to use them. We are Nigerians and we’re not foolish.”

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"We Are Nigerians & We’re Not Foolish" - Amuneke Slaps Football Agent Over Kelechi Iheanacho’s Transfer

According to a Premium Times report, Henry Galliano, an American football agent, was physically assaulted by assistant coach of Nigeria’s U-17 team, Emmanuel Amuneke, at the Rockview Hotel in Owerri.

The story claims that the incident occurred, because of Kelechi Iheanacho’s decision to pick Galliano as his agent, instead of the one recommended by Amuneke. Iheanacho, who was voted the best player at the just concluded U-17 World Cup in UAE, has been attracting interest from top European clubs and it is understood that he signed an agent deal with Galliano. A copy of this agreement was sent to the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, on October 21.

Recalling the incident, Galliano and his Nigerian partner, Solomon Oluwaseun, said: “The coach invited us, we went to see him and he started threatening Kelechi that he should follow him to Abuja to sign with his agent who is working with a Nasiru Jubril, a staff of the NFF; or else Nasiru, the man in charge of the ITC (International Transfer Certificate), will not release kelechi’s ITC to him and they will both make sure that he is banned from Nigeria football; also he will not get a good club.

“When the agent tried to talk back, the coach slapped him and beat him up in the presence of over 25 people,” Solomon said.

Galliano, on his parted said: “I came here to take Kelechi to his club. FC Porto and Manchester City are interested in him but Manchester City has a better package. This was our discussion and conclusion when Mr. Amuneke sent for me, and asked me to go back to my cousin.

“He called me names, beat me up and embarrassed me, he said it’s impossible to just take his players,” Galliano, who also accused Amuneke of making racist comments, said.

Galliano also revealed that Keshi threatened Iheanacho and ordered him to follow him to Abuja.

“Kelechi is nowhere to be found, he started crying after the threat made against him, the small boy is afraid and I hope he will not lose hope,” he said.

“Amuneke said he will delay his ITC and deal with him, he called vulgar words, cursing the boys and the players"

Iheanacho’s phone could not be contacted and his father refused to comment on the situation. Amuneke however confirmed that he indeed slapped Galliano, but denied involvement in Iheanacho’s possible transfer.

“Yes, of course I slapped him very well and I will do it again whenever I see him,” Amuneke said.

“He is an idiot, useless white man, he wants to come and reap where he didn’t sow.

“Kelechi is a nobody; yes, I said we helped him into the team, made him, moulded him into what he is today, he shouldn’t allow anybody to fool him.”

When asked about his role in the Iheanacho and other players’ transfer business, he replied: “I care so much for my players, I am a coach.”

“I’m not an agent but I just look out for the boys. He wants to come and sign a player just like that, he’s an idiot, I will not allow him.

“Because the boy’s parents are poor and illiterate, he wants to use them. We are Nigerians and we’re not foolish.”

CLICK HERE to follow us on Google+ so as to get instant updates on published posts.

Jonathan Hosts World Conquering Golden Eaglets, Gives Them N2 Million Each (Photos)

History was made on Friday, November 8, when our Golden Eaglets became the first country to win the FIFA Under-17 World Cup for the fourth time (we had previously won in 1985, 1993 and 2007), after defeating Mexico 3 to 0.


In celebrating them, President Goodluck Jonathan announced a cash reward of two million naira each members of the golden eaglets that won the under seventeen championship.

Receiving the eaglets in Abuja Sunday night president Jonathan said their victory was an indication that Nigeria was on the path of recovery in international sports.
Members of the coaching crew were given three million dollars each by the president who described the victory of the eagles as a pride to the nation and the continent. See photos below:

U-17 World Cup: Nigeria 3 – 3 Sweden [Match Report]

Nigeria, who won their first game in UAE 6-1 over Mexico, showed some defensive frailties in their 3-3 draw with Sweden at the Khalifa Bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain.

The Scandinavians, playing in their first FIFA U-17 World Cup, stuck to their game-plan and were thoroughly deserving of their share of the spoils against the Group F favourites as both sides now look good bets to reach the knockout rounds.

The Swedes only needed 11 minutes to shock the much-feared Golden Eaglets, and the goal came from a hopeful ball lofted into the penalty area from deep in midfield. Nigerian keeper Dele Alampsu thought he had a chance at intercepting and raced out of his net, but Erdal Rakip got to the ball first and nodded across the face of goal. Valmir Berisha was on the spot to guide the ball home on the volley.

AL AIN, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – OCTOBER 22: Nigeria’s players during the FIFA U17 group F match between Sweden and Nigeria at Khalifa Bin Zayed Stadium on October 22, 2013 in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates. (Photo FIFA/)

It was 2-0 to the Scandinavians eight minutes later when Anton Saletros bamboozled his man on the left flank and crossed deep into the penalty area.

Berisha showed he had his shooting boots on as he expertly headed home his second goal of the contest.The Nigerians, traditionally slow starters, hit back in spectacular fashion with one of the goals of the tournament.

Kalechi Iheanacho, four-goal scorer from the first game against Mexico, floated in a ball from midfield. It was met by Success Isaac, who swiveled and slammed into the far corner without the ball ever hitting the grass, all in one motion, in the 20th minute.The Africans then went close to drawing twice in the last five minutes of the half.

Samuel Okon tried an audacious lob from 40 yards that had Sixten Mohlin in the Swedish goal back-peddling desperately, before tipping over the bar. Shortly after, substitute Taiwo Awoniyi’s snap-shot was saved again by Mohlin, the effort not able to match the outstanding approach work up the right side.

Mohlin went from hero to villain for the Swedes early in the second half. He failed to get his body behind the ball when Musa Yahaya tried a speculative shot from way out. The ball trickled between the keeper’s legs and bobbled, almost apologetically, over the line as the tried desperately to recover.

The Nigerians were in the driving seat, and the Swedes were increasingly camped in their own half. But a fast-break up the left side in the 65th minute saw the Swedes back into the lead. Saletros chested the ball on goal from close range and Alampsu could only parry away. Unfortunately for the keeper, substitute Mirza Halvadzic was lurking on the doorstep and slid home to make it 3-2.But the talented and irrepressible Africans still had something left in the tank.

Awoniyi’s powerful header with ten minutes to go was too much for Mohlin to keep out and the game ended honours even. Nigeria now move on to Dubai, where they will take on Iraq in their last match of the section on 25 October, the same day that Sweden meet Mexico in Al Ain.