Tanzania FA Sacks Amuneke Over Poor Results
BY COBHAM NSA, – The Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) has confirmed parting ways with their national team manager, Nigerian-born Coach Emmanuel Amuneke over the country’s poor results at the 2019 AFCON tournament
The 48-year-old Nigerian legend becomes the second manager to be sacked after his side’s poor showing at the ongoing 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament in Egypt.
Named as the Taifa Stars’ Head Coach in August 2018, the former Nigerian international led the team to the 32nd edition of the championship after about 40 years absence from AFCON.
Unfortunately, the Tanzanians could not rise to the big occasion as they lost all their three Group C matches, failing to pick any point in the biennial continental soccer fiesta. They lost all three matches against Senegal, Kenya and Algeria.
The Taifa Stars flagged-off their campaigns losing 2-0 to Senegal. The second game saw them capitulating after to a 3-2 defeat after leading Kenya 2-1 at a stage. Their woes were further compounded by the Desert Warriors of Algeria who ran out with a 3-0 victory in their last Group C encounter.
Citing the Stars’ poor performance in Egypt as ‘unacceptable’, the Tanzanian FA said it took the painful decision to terminate the former Nigerian and FC Barcelona of Spain winger’s contract on mutual terms.
A statement on the TFF’s website said: “The Tanzania Football Association (TFF) and the national team coach, Emmanuel Amunike, have reached a joint agreement to terminate the contract between us.”
According to the statement; “TFF will announce the TAN coach who will lead the national team for CHAN matches. TAN coaches will be announced after the Emergency Committee meeting on July 11, 2019.”
Coach Amuneke has now followed in the painful footsteps of Egyptian Manager Javier Aguirre. The Pharaohs’ boss was sacked by the Egyptian FA following the team’s shocking ouster by South Africa in the last 16 round.
Meanwhile, Coach of the Ugandan Cranes, Sebastien Desabre has stepped down after crashing out in the AFCON knockout stage.
The Ugandan Cranes confirmed his departure following their 1-0 loss to Senegal in their last 16 match that had Liverpool striker, Sadio Mane scoring the only goal to propel the Lions of Teranga into the quarter-finals.
The East Africans finished their Group A pairings in second place with four points behind hosts Egypt who are also out of the competition losing embarrassingly to South Africa.
