Following the exit of Tanzania from the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), Tanzanians have fired their national team coach and former Super Eagles of Nigeria player, Emmanuel Amunike.
The Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) was not happy that Amunike’s team failed to win a game at AFCON, and exited at the group stage. Amunike took over last August and helped them qualify for the finals for the first time in 39 years. “Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) and the coach of the national team, the Tarifa Stars, Emmanuel Amunike, have jointly agreed to terminate our contract,” the TFF said in a statement on their website. Interim coaches will be announced later after an emergency executive committee.”
Tanzania lost to Algeria, Kenya and Senegal in Group C in Egypt, scoring just two goals while conceding eight. Their 3-2 defeat to northern neighbours, Kenya was particularly disappointing as they gave up the lead twice. Following that loss, Amunike said the team needed exposure to stronger competitions and that players needed to be in more competitive leagues for them to develop.
Only three members of the squad are based in Europe — Blackpool’s Adi Yussuf, Racing Genk’s Mbwana Samatta and Faridi Mussa, who plays in the lower tier of the Spanish league. The squad also had 14 members plying their trade in the domestic league.
The development contradicts earlier statement by Ammy Ninje, the Technical Director of Tanzania Football Federation who told the world that Emmanuel Amuneke will be retained as the coach of that country’s national team.