Amoo makes excuse for Eagles' draw
by Humphrey Njoku 10 January 2013, 18:12
Former Super Eagles' assistant coach, Fatai Amoo has alluded injury scare to the side's cagey and barren draw against the Blue Sharks of Cape Verde.
The Eagles played a lacklustre barren draw against 2013 Africa Cup of Nations debutants, Cape Verde in Wednesday's test match at the Algarve Stadium in Faro, Portugal.
Amoo said the players apparently mindful of the danger posed to their Nations Cup dream played safe to fence off injury.
"I think the players decided to hold back for several reasons especially to avoid situation that may ruin their Nations Cup dream.
"Of course, any player that cups an injury now may have bid the Nations Cup bye, majority is conscious and mindful of such occurrence.
"Again that's a friendly not championship match and the essence is not strictly to win but allow the coaches opportunity to try game programmes.
"The barren draw is nothing to worry about, it will be a different ball game at the competition proper.
"Although, one is not making excuses for the team, of course, we know there is always a bad day in football but I think they played to avoid injury.
"There is hope for the team in South Africa even though it will be tough but with the support of everybody it won't be tougher," said the former Nigerian midfield maestro to supersport.com.
Amoo sees Cup holders, Zambia as the toughest nut the Eagles must crack in Group C.
"Zambia have always been a difficult side for Nigeria and each time they face Nigeria they appear to double their strength.
"Though their pre-Afcon matches have not been encouraging but we won't judge them on that premise.
"Their coach had wanted to work for Nigeria and that will make the tie even tougher. Zambia play like Enugu Rangers of old, they play with everything in them. They pose more threat to us than Burkina Faso and Ethiopia. Our players must be ready for war," he said.
The former 3SC manager still has goose pimples over the Eagles' defence heading to the Nations Cup.
"Specifically more job needs to be done on the defence but that does not exclude other areas.
"No team work on one department but all other departments, it must be total so as to be sure the team will click together and deliver the goods," he said.
