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Pressure on struggling Nigeria

Benguela - Pressure is mounting on Nigeria coach Shaibu Amodu ahead of his side's tricky African Nations Cup test against Benin on Saturday.

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.

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.

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