Nigeria’s Emmanuel Amuneke Makes History, Returns Tanzania To AFCON After 39 Years Hiatus

39 years after their last appearance in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), the Taifa Stars of Tanzania will return to Africa’s biggest football showpiece after a 3-0 win against Uganda, all thanks to their Nigerian coach, Emmanuel Amunike.

Amunike, who was the former Nigeria youth coach, was appointed head coach of the Tanzania national team in August 2018 with the immediate task of ensuring their qualification to the 2019 AFCON.

On 24th March he delivered on that, with an emphatic 3-0 win over Uganda on the final matchday inside a packed National Stadium in Dar es Salaam to qualify for the top Caf competition in Egypt.

The Taifa Stars stunned Group L leaders to record a historic victory in front of home fans at the National Stadium on Sunday.

Tanzania has only once made an appearance in the AFCON competition; back in 1980, where they also couldn’t get past the first round.

Thus it seems the next task for the former Nigeria international, Emmanuel Amunike will be to ensure the Taifa Stars play beyond the group stage.

The 32nd edition of the Africa Cup of Nations will be the first hosted in June and this edition will see 24 teams participate.

The feat also makes Amuneke the second Nigerian coach, after late Stephen Keshi [with Togo and Nigeria], to guide a country to the biennial continental showpiece.