Benin coach Cecil Jones Atuquayefio is optimistic the Beninois football association will renew his contract when it expires in August.

The former Hearts of Oak coach has come under intense fire from the media in Benin who are angry over the Squirrels inability to even glean a point from the three games at the cup Of nations.

The media says Benin was at the cup of nations just to make up the numbers and they also criticize the Ghanaian trainer for dropping some players who would have been key to Benin’s performance in Tunisia.

But Sir Cecil Jones has bravely defended Benin’s debut at the cup of nations saying his players are wiser and more mature after playing alongside the continent’s big gun.

He described Benin’s appearance at the Cup of Nations as a good development for the country’s soccer level.

Benin lost all three matches in the group stages of the Cup of Nations going down 2-1 to Nigeria, 4-nil to Morocco and 2-nil to South Africa.