The aftermath of Amuneke's choice saw a wave of criticism from Nigerians who labeled the 52-year-old as 'unpatriotic' and accused him of harboring envy towards Napoli's Osimhen. Despite Osimhen eventually clinching the coveted title as Africa's best player, the backlash prompted Amuneke to address the issue and dismiss claims that he voted against Osimhen.

Speaking on the Nigerian Sports Village Square moderated by veteran journalist Osasu Obayiuwana, Amuneke expressed his frustration with the misleading comments, insisting that he was not elected to vote in the first place. He shed light on the circumstances leading to his preference for Salah, explaining that during a debate about the Arabian team, the question of choosing between Hakimi and Salah arose, with Osimhen also mentioned.

Amuneke stated, "He came to me and asked ‘Hakimi or Salah.’ I have to say Salah. And the reason why I said Salah was because I played in Egypt, I lived in Egypt, and I know some of the guys there." He emphasized that there was no intention to vote against Osimhen and reminded everyone of Osimhen's achievements, expressing pride in the player's success.

Adding context to their relationship, Amuneke highlighted that Osimhen was part of his Nigeria U17 squad that won the 2015 FIFA U17 World Cup, where the striker earned the Golden Boot and Silver Ball honors. He urged for an end to the spread of false news and false impressions, emphasizing the responsibility of journalists to inform the public accurately.

Osimhen, 24, had an outstanding season with Napoli, scoring 31 goals in 39 matches as they secured their first Serie A title since 1990. With this accomplishment, Osimhen joined the esteemed ranks of Nigerians who have claimed the African Player of the Year award, including Rasheed Yekini, Amuneke, Nwankwo Kanu, and Victor Ikpeba.