Implications of Nigeria Absence From Afcon 2015

 Its no longer news that 2013 Afcon champions, Nigeria will not be defending their title in Equitorial Guinea, we look at the implications of Nigeria's absence from the next edition:

1. Farewell to Ageing Players

The 2015 Afcon might have been the last for the ageing crop of players in the current eagles set up.

Players like Ike Uche, Obafemi Martins, Vincent Enyeama, Austin Ejide, Osaze Odemwingie and Bathlomew Ogbeche are in their thirties while others like Mikel Obi, Chinedu Obasi, Taiye Taiwo, Efe Ambrose and even Emmanuel Emenike are in their prime and might not feature in the next edition due to age, form or other factors.

2. YoYo Afcon Status

After missing the 2012 edition in Gabon/Equitorial Guinea, Nigeria made it to South Africa in 2013 and will miss out the next edition in 2017 confirming Nigeria's Yoyo Afcon status.

The super Eagles has been on and off in Afcon, after qualifying only once in three Afcon tournaments.

3. Keshi's Afcon Triumph, a Fluke?

Nigeria were Afcon champions in 2013, got to round of sixteen in Brazil, third place in Chan 2014, all these were the achievements of Stephen Keshi in his 3 years spell as Nigeria coach. With same poll of players at his disposal, where did it go wrong for the big boss?

Call it whatever you want, but i term it a fluke. Individual brilliance and hard work got us where we are with the coach contributing little or nothing tactically to the team's overall outcome. Victor Moses, Emmanuel Emenike, Sunday Mba, Mikel Obi at one point or the other shouldered the burden of the team, but when form and fatigue set in, Keshi had no answer.

4. No show for Emerging NPFL Stars

A season where the record goals per season was broken, eleven players hit double figures in terms of goals, a player scored six goals in a single game, it was expected that the 2015 Afcon will be the icing on the cake for Nigeria premier league players. In what could be seen as the best season in the history of the league, the Afcon would have afforded these stars the necessary exposure required.

Already a main stay in the eagles team, players like Gbolahon Salami,Ighodaro Osaguona, Emem Edouk and Solomon Kwambe are regulars but 2017 might not be realistic for these lads.


5. Pinnick Vindicated?

On assumption of office as NFF president, Amaju Pinnick immediately got rid of Stephen Keshi and his crew replaced by Shuaibu Amadu on an interim basis but a presidential call ordered the reinstatement of the former captain.

Did Pinnick forsee the incoming danger?

6. Future is Bright

On the brighter side, Nigeria Afcon 2015 outster could be a blessing in disguise for Nigerian football.
"This is a dark moment but we will emerge into sunshine shortly." NFF boss Amaju Pinnick said.

Most players in the national setup are relatively young, players like Kenneth Omeruo, Ogenyi Onazi, Ahmed Musa and Victor Moses are in their early twenties and are the core of the team. Coupled with the current crop of players in the youth system such as Kelechi Iheanacho, Chinedu Nwakali,Dele Alampasu,Chidera Eze amongst others under proper tutelage, Nigeria football will raise again.