Emmanuel Amunike has opened up on why the Super Eagles technical crew made five changes to the team in their second-leg World Cup playoff against Ghana.

The Super Eagles Coaches made five changes to the staring XI that drew 0-0 in the first leg played at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi.

Frank Onyeka replaced Innocent Bonke in the midfield, while Ademola Lookman and Calvin Bassey were given the nod to start the game, despite having little or no experience on African football.

Watford’s striker Emmanuel Dennis was handed his first start for the Super Eagles. Etebo who recently returned to fitness, after six-month lay off also featured from the start.

However the decision yielded no results, as the team struggled to all night and eventually crashed out of the World Cup qualification race.

In a chat with brila.net, Amunike who assisted coach Austin Eguavoen, said the made the decision to give the team a new direction.

“Football is a team game and after the first leg you have to review the performance of some players and make changes,” Amunike said.

“In the case of Emmanuel Dennis and others that started the game, we wanted to have a strong attack and push the team forward.

“They are also part of the team and it was important to look in their direction and see what they can bring to the team and it was unfortunate, things went that way,” He told BRL.