By Oluwashina Okeleji BBC Sport

Benin will use the climate of Brazil to train for the heat of Ghana

Squirrels' coach Wabi Gomez said his team will be in Rio de Janeiro until the tournament starts in Ghana.

Gomez believes the camp in South America is the best way to prepare his team mentally for the challenges ahead.

"We will camp in Brazil for two weeks which would be enough to conclude our training and technical strategies for the competition," Gomez told BBC Sport.

"While in Brazil we will play two friendly matches before travelling to Ghana for the tournament.

We don't care what people say, we will go to Brazil and return to Africa as a strong force to be reckoned with Wabi Gomez

"The great atmosphere will enable total concentration for the boys, and I must commend the Benin Football Federation for this idea.

"We don't care what people say, we will go to Brazil and return to Africa as a strong force to be reckoned with."

Benin are drawn in Group B with Nigeria, Ivory Coast and Mali in what Nigeria and Everton defender Joseph Yobo recently termed as the 'Group of Death'.

Yet Gomes remains optimistic: "I don't think about qualification from this group but just to win a game.

"We were in Tunisia in 2004 but didn't win a game; our target in Ghana is modest as we only aim for our first victory in the Cup of Nations.

"Anything after that would be a bonus; I would not like to put my players under unnecessary pressure.

"We had a good preparation with the four nation tournament in Ghana; we nearly beat the hosts [Ghana] in the final, which was a good start," Gomez recalled.

"From our performance in Ghana and expectations in Brazil, we will not let the people of Benin down in Ghana," Gomez added.