African Nations Cup: Nigeria Coach Shuaibu Amodu Questions Competition Timing

The club v country debate is a cause for the gaffer's concern...

Dec 29, 2009 12:20:31 PM

More On :  Nigeria
Angola 2010,Caf

Nigeria coach Shuaibu Amodu has questioned the timing of the Africa Cup of Nations, complaining that it makes it difficult for coaches of African national teams to put in enough preparation time with their respective teams.

"The Nations Cup timing is not helping us in Africa," Amodu said, according to KickoffNigeria.com.

Don't Miss

Africa's flagship competition takes place in the middle of the European football season, where the majority of African players earn their living.

According to FIFA Regulations, the clubs are only obligated to release the players for pre-tournament camping 14 days before kick off. But that figure usually comes down to about 10 days, especially with players coming from the English Premier League and Amodu suggested that CAF (Confederation of African Football) should take a second look at the situation.

"CAF should look at it so it gives us more than two weeks to prepare because the current situation is causing difficulties for us."

In spite of that difficulty, however, the under-pressure coach is still determined to make a push for the trophy.

"I think we can win it. Every coach goes into a tournament with the ambition of winning it.

"I have been given a semi-final target, but I can’t just stop there. We have to do our best to bring the cup home."

And Amodu is under no illusions about his job should his team fail to perform well in Angola. "The Nations Cup will be a pointer to what the World Cup will be.

"Some have said that it will determine my fate, but I am not even thinking about that."

Follow Goal.com on Twitter
Follow Goal.com on Facebook
Thank you for your comment!
Please enter your name
Please enter your location
Please share your comment!
Comments
21 Comments
 
Advertisement
play pause open close
Inside Goal.Com
  1. Capello remains one of the greats of the game Capello remains one of the greats of the game

    After tasting success wherever he had gone previously, the coach will look upon his time at Wembley as an incomplete job rather than a complete failure

  2. Can Suarez repeat Cantona's grand comeback? Can Suarez repeat Cantona's grand comeback?

    The divisive Uruguayan can look to history when he starts against United on Saturday for the first time since receiving an eight-match ban for racially abusing Patrice Evra

  3. Key battles: Manchester United v Liverpool Key battles: Manchester United v Liverpool

    The former Reds defender believes that the Uruguayan must put controversy to the back of his mind when his team face the champions

  4. The importance of Champions League qualification The importance of Champions League qualification

    The Ruhr side's remarkable run in Europe's elite tournament saw their revenue unexpectedly soar last season, but some teams are structured to depend on such results to survive

  5. Cartoon: Capello's managerial merry-go-round Cartoon: Capello's managerial merry-go-round

    Goal.com cartoonist Omar Momani gives us his unique take on the football news of the day ...

 
Advertisement
Advertisement