AFCON 2015: NFF Takes Blame For Eagles Non-qualification

The Nigeria Football Asso
ciation (NFA) has accepted responsibility for Super Eagles’ inability to qualify for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
A statement from NFA’s Assistant Director (Communications), Ademola Olajire, in Abuja yesterday stated that NFA Chairman, Amaju Pinnick, promised that Nigerian football would bounce back.
It stated that Pinnick said Super Eagles non-qualification called for sober reflections and not time to apportion blames.
The reigning African champions played 2-2 draw with visiting South Africa in a must win match on Wednesday.
The inability of the Super Eagles to qualify meant that they would not be able to defend the title they won in 2013.
“The NFA takes full responsibility for what has happened. It is a tragedy for us to come so near and yet fail to reach the finals.
“We made so much effort and sacrifice in Congo to achieve the victory we needed there on Saturday and really had no business bungling it here,’’ it stated.
It stated that NFA’s desire was to build a sustainable football culture in the country, but expressed regrets that nothing had changed.
“This, though is a disappointment, but for us, we gave it our best shot and supported the team fully,’’ Pinnick was quoted as saying.
He, however, expressed optimism that Wednesday’s failure could turn out to be blessing in disguise.
“All things work together for good for those that love God.
“This has happened but we believe it will work together for us to toil hard and achieve a renaissance that will take Nigeria football to much higher heights than it has ever been.
“I use this opportunity to thank the Akwa Ibom State Government for all the support they gave the team and the assistance they offered the NFA.
“This is a dark moment but we will emerge into sunshine shortly,’’ Pinnick was quoted as saying.
Super Eagles finished third in Group A with eight points behind group leaders South Africa and Congo who had 12 and 10 points respectively.
South Africa and Congo would join the other 14 countries to participate in the 16-team continental championship.
The championship which is in its 30 edition has been scheduled to hold in Equatorial Guinea from Jan. 17 to February 8.