…They Have The Spirit To Win – Amodu

Nigeria coach Shuaibu Amodu is confident that his team have the spirit to beat Benin Republic today  and rescue their flailing African Nations Cup campaign.

Amodu’s wards were dismantled 3-1 by champions Egypt, leading to stinging criticism back home, but the coach says his players are concentrating on their next match.

“The players are serious and I notice that they have the spirit to go in there and do the job,” Amodu told Nigeriaff.com. “They are all sweating hard and concentrating and all we need is that win against Benin Republic to bring the confidence back, and then we can look ahead.”

On Thursday, Amodu departed from his normal practice of one training session by sending the players out for a second session in the afternoon, during which he placed the focus on goal scoring.

The coach also plans to ring changes in his starting team for Benin.

With Osaze Odemwingie back to full fitness, it appears Amodu intends to start him on the right wing of the attack, with Chinedu Obasi, lone goal scorer against Egypt moving to the left and Yakubu Aiyegbeni retaining his place in the centre of attack.

At the rear, Danny Shittu is expected to come in for Obinna Nwaneri while Elderson Echiejile is expected to take the left wing back position ahead of Taye Taiwo.

Nigeria must beat Benin Republic and also Mozambique in Lubango on Wednesday to be sure of a place in the last eight of the competition.

Nigeria has not failed to reach the quarter finals of the African Cup of Nations since 1982.