Amodu Speaks on World Cup, Nations Cup, Local League.

Byline: Jacob Ajom

I couldn't resist the call to come for this reunion with the sporting press in Lagos. I had to struggle between accepting it or not. Finally, I decided to come and socialise with my friends and 'enemies'(laughter). I believe the aspects that we will be talking on is the list of 32 players invited to camp, the programme for the national team and our Nations Cup campaign.

What concerns me now is the African Cup of Nations in Angola. This is because, Angola will be the pointer to what we will be capable of doing at the World Cup in South Africa. Angola will be the parameter to know the make of the team at the World Cup. The other issue that has dominated the press of late is that of home-based players.

Invitation of players to camp

I invited 32 players to camp, only three of them are from the local league. I would have extended the invitation to more players but because we don't have the luxury of time. It would have been difficult for me to invite more home-based players because the time is too short to bring out the best in them. Left for me, I would have limited the number of invited players to 22 or 25, but issues like injuries, late release of players by clubs, the fitness level of some of the invited players and all that, I had to agree to an extended list of 32. It is not an easy job for any coach to supervise 32 players in one week.

Choice of Durban for training camp

We will be leaving Abuja on 30th December for Durban, South Africa. Durban came up as plan B. After the Nations Cup draw in South …