Super Eagles players rose stoutly in favour of Head Coach Shaibu Amodu and the technical crew, while at the same time decrying attempts by some individuals to claim credit for the team's recent impressive displays.

The players had a long meeting on arrival in the country on Wednesday night and resolved to speak through Skipper Nwankwo Kanu, who said that the team's fair outings in the past two international friendlies were down principally to the technical crew and the efforts of the Nigeria Football Federation.

"We appreciate the efforts of the Members of the Presidential Task Force and the pledges made for us to beat Kenya, but to ascribe the recent performances of the team to the short visit of some of the members to Europe, as claimed by Chief Segun Odegbami, is unacceptable.

"The team is an evolving one, which has taken Amodu and his assistants months of hard work, and we believe it is still work-in-progress. We have faith in the tactics and techniques of the coach and his assistants, we know they have the love of the country at heart just like the players and we give them credit for the systematic injection of young players to achieve a fundamental mix that would deliver all our intentions and desires as a football -playing nation.

"We thank Mr. President and Commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces, Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar'Adua for setting up the Task Force and we appreciate the sincerity of the chairman, Governor Rotimi Amaechi. However, the statement by Chief Odegbami that Coach Amodu is arrogant is highly unfortunate; Amodu is humble and approachable. We have absolute faith in him.

"We do not need distractions at this time and will not allow these things to affect our focus. The goal of securing a ticket to the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa is a collective one, and we are ready to work very hard to bring glory to our nation".