Pressure on struggling Nigeria ahead of Benin clash

Benin: Pressure is mounting on Nigeria coach Shaibu Amodu ahead of his side`s tricky African Nations Cup test against Benin on Saturday (1600 GMT).

Tuesday`s 3-1 defeat by defending champions Egypt in their opening Group C game has left the Nigerians looking vulnerable for the encounter with their small neighbours in Benguela. Shin problems will keep key striker Obafemi Martins out of a second successive match but Amodu is expected to ring the changes. Later on Saturday, Egypt are heavily fancied to extend their 14-match unbeaten run in the Nations Cup finals when they play Mozambique at the Ombaka Stadium (1830 GMT).Another win would all but ensure progress to the quarter-finals for the Egyptians, who are chasing an unprecedented third successive Nations Cup title. The major focus, though, will be on World Cup-bound Nigeria with Amodu`s tenure continuing to remain the subject of intense media debate and speculation in his homeland. Benin, who drew their opening match 2-2 with Mozambique, are led up front by striker Razak Omotoyossi, one of three Nigerian-born players in the squad. On Friday, the Ivory Coast became the first side to qualify for the quarter-finals after a 3-1 win over Ghana in Cabinda. Bureau Report