Losers And Winners From Nigeria Afcon failure

The African cup of nations is a tournament which showcases the brightest and best players on the continent. Over the years, the biennial event has served as a platform for young and promising talents to display their abilities to the footballing world. 

From the Nigerian perspective, Austin Jay Jay Okocha in 1994, Julius Aghahowa in 2002, Osaze Odemwingie in 2004 and Sunday Mba in 2013 all benefited from their showing at this competition. 

On the other hand, some other players has also taken advantage of not being part of the tournament either due to their country's inability to qualify or being omitted by their coaches. 

Now the question is, With Nigeria's failure to qualify for this event, which players stands to gain or lose from this situation?

LOSERS

1. Aaron Samuel

Many Nigerians crucified coach Stephen Keshi for extending invitation to Chineese based Aaron Samuel ignoring the so-called 'big names' in Europe. 

Samuel produced sterling performances to shut his critics up scoring twice in Nigeria's last three qualifiers. He would have been a star to watch out for at the tournament and possibly get a lucrative deal away from Asia. 

2. Mfon Udoh

Nigeria new goal king, Mfon Udoh scored 23 goals last term eclipsing the previous 20 goal record. He doubles as the most valuable player at the league bloggers award. 

The 2015 Afcon would have provided the Enyimba Fc man the much needed exposure and spotlight to prove that his glo premier league exploits wasn't a fluke.  

3. Hope Akpan

Hope Akpan brought new life and the needed steel missing in the Eagles midfield and was already establishing himself as a core member of the current team. He however got injured while on international duty and will be unavailable for three months.  

Nigeria went on to miss out from the tournament in Equitorial Guinea, meaning the sacrifice and injury sustained by this lad will be in vain. 

WINNERS

1. John Obi Mikel

Many Nigerians has always doubted the commitment of this young man to the national set up. The Chelsea Fc of England midfield power-house prior to Nigeria's elimination featured sparingly for the Londoners, making only nine appearances.  

He has started eight out of Chelsea's last ten games signaling a remarkable upturn in the players fortune at the club. He would probably be thanking God for this current situation because the AfCON would have halted his fine run of form at his club. 

2. Victor Moses 

Victor Moses was part of the reason Nigeria were crowned champions in South Africa. He endured a torrid loan spell in Anfield and had little or no impact at the FIFA World cup in Brazil. 

He made the switch to Stoke city and has so far been outstanding ever since. Injury brought a premature end to this and he is yet to fully recover from the setback.  

The AFCON would have come too soon for the 24 year old who is yet to return to full fitness and hamper his progress at the Britannia. 


4.  Efe Ambrose

Before Nigeria's AFCON failure, Efe has struggled with form at both club and national level. He was constantly benched by 19-year-old Belgian, Jason Denayer.   

Things took a different direction when the aforementioned player got injured and ever since the Nigerian has never looked back.  He has now featured in all Celtic Fc games, a total of 24 appearances so far. 

This should be a blessing in disguise for the 26 year old who should be celebrating that he's gonna be at Celtic park when the tournament kicks-off.