The priority for    Nigeria  is to use the  Cup of Nations as preparatory ground for building our team for the World Cup. Winning in Angola may not be a priority, but if opportunity calls to be champions, we should grab it”. These were the words of coach Franklin Howard in Lagos, in his assessment of the national team for continental battle.

He said the strength in the Super Eagles could be their secret weapon, and if well utilised, they could take everyone by surprise as the Africa

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n Cup of Nations begins in Angola.

“That weapon is in the good crop of players in the team, experienced and eager to roar and this could be unleashed when the competition  comes to a climax. I believe they can do it,” he said.

“I believe they have had a modest and pain-staking preparation. Giving the dramatic transformation we saw of the team’s last minute grabbing of a World Cup ticket, then, there is the team character that ensures they rise to the occasion when the chips are down.

We need to give the players kudos, respect and an acknowledgment. Now that they have come this far, they should not rest on their oars, but go farther up and  use this Nations Cup as a test ground for the World Cup build up.”

Asked about the team named  by Shaibu Amodu, Howard said, “I have no problem with the team picked by Amodu for the Nations Cup. He, as head coach, has a better idea of the team he needs to do well or even win.

I believe he made his selection based on the best materials available. I cannot fault him on that, how I wish they could recreate the same form, strength and effort with which they subdued Kenya in the very last qualifier,”Howard noted.

However, the former Shooting Stars coach warned that the team should strive to meet the aspirations of Nigerians who are yearning for concrete results, saying “I feel Nigerians are desirous of the team winning in Angola.

That means, the players just have to put in extra effort to take the country far in Angola and I feel that nothing short of a semi final placing would  be ideal, as it would give an indication of what we could do with the World Cup campaign later.

The Nations Cup is a preparation ground for the World Cup and that has to be taken note of. If we go far in Angola, it is an assurance that we can make a good outing at the World Cup”, he said.