Lagos — IWUANYANWU Nationale F.C Chief Coach Alphonsus Dike has tipped Cameroon to lift the 23rd African cup of nations in Mali over Senegal tomorrow.

Dike in Owerri told Sunday Sports that Cameroon so far has looked invincible in the tournament, besides their physical and fine team play.

"I saw them as the team capable of winning a good performance. No other team has looked so good physically and technically in this competition than Cameroon. Their state of mind and fitness is best and fantastic. I have no doubt that Cameroon will beat Senegal, which is also good but not as Cameroon.

Dike, sad at the defeat of the Super Eagles of Nigeria by the Senegalese Lions in the first semi final 2-1, said the team should have done better.

I had believed that the Super Eagles were good enough to lift the cup until that defeat by Senegal. I say so because they had improved with each game played especially against Ghana. I had set my mind to see them play in the final against Cameroon. How sad that they lost under such untidy circumstance."

The former Katsina United F.C. and Sharks F.C. coach said but for the ouster of the Eagles by Senegal, he would have tipped them to win even against the hardfighting Cameroonians.

I don t know and I can t say what really went wrong with the team. Until we get to know the full facts, I cannot offer a true reason why the Eagles lost so. It s sad for Nigeria and my belief now is that we should bury the hatchet and begin preparations for the World Cup which is not far off from now. It is important that we do that for the sake of National interest".

He did not totally agree to a suggestion for an overhaul of the Eagles preparatory to the World Cup, saying Shuaibu Amodu, so far has performed well as team chief coach.

"As an outsider, I do not have an inside idea of the going s on in the team. It s those involved that would know whether the team should be overhauled or not. If you give me the facts around the team, then I could offer you some tips".

"Amodu to me has done well, He won matches we didn t expect him to soon after taking over. I can t fault Amodu now and I believe he has the players that could make a good team.

So whatever be our shortcomings, he still has a lot to offer the team especially for the World Cup. The boys respect him and that will go a long way to assure us good team work and result".(ACONS)