20th January, 2012
For the first time since 1986, the Africa Cup of Nations will begin without soccer loving Nigerians watching Super Eagles, in action in the continental tournament.
Eagles failed to qualify for the Nations Cup, which kicks off in Equatorial Guinea and Gabon tomorrow after the Samson Siasia-led team played a 2-2 draw with Guinea in their last match of the qualifying series at the Abuja National Stadium.
The failure of the Eagles to beat Syli Nationale of Guinea led to the sack of Siasia, whose contract stipulated that he not only qualify Nigeria for the 2012 Nations Cup but should reach the semi final stage of the tournament.
There is no doubt that Nigerians and the Eagles would feel the pain of not qualifying for the Nations Cup the more now as the competition gets underway from tomorrow.
The Eagles plying their trades abroad will be forced to watch the tournament from their various clubs, while lowly rated countries like Niger Republic, Botswana and war-torn Libya will be among the 16 countries taking part in the continent’s biggest soccer fiesta which will last for three weeks.
Apart from Nigeria that will miss the tournament, the defending champion, Egypt, four times winners, Cameroon, 1996 champion, South Africa and 1990 winner, Algeria, will also be missing in action.
Meanwhile, Libya hope to write another chapter in the Nations Cup fairy tale when they tackle co-hosts, Equatorial Guinea, in the opening fixture tomorrow, while Senegal and Zambia will slug it out in the second match of the day. On Sunday, Ivory Coast will play Sudan while Burkina Faso tackle Angola.
—Sunday Akintoye