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The continental football boss has lamented the Super Eagles’ absence from Afcon 2015 while backing them to come back stronger
Confederation of African Football president Issa Hayatou has disclosed that Nigeria’s absence will be felt when the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations kicks off in Equatorial Guinea.
Defending champions, Super Eagles faltered in their bid to qualify for the continent’s biggest football showpiece after playing a 2-2 draw against South Africa in the last qualifying game played at the Akwa Ibom Stadium.
While lamenting Nigeria’s absence, the Caf boss said the Super Eagles absence will not in any way diminish the country’s importance to the structure of Africa football.
"The whole of Africa will miss Nigeria in Equatorial Guinea. But the absence will not in any way diminish your stature as a very big and influential nation in the African game, Hayatou said in a statement to the Nigeria Football Federation.
"It would have been good to have the defending champions in Equatorial Guinea. Nigeria brings so much value to the Africa Cup of Nations.
"However, we know that you will come back much stronger, as you did in winning the cup in South Africa last year after missing out on the 2012 championship,” he concluded.
Nigeria will be recalled missed out of the 2012 edition co-hosted by Equatorial Guinea/ Gabon after been forced to a 2-2 draw by Guinea in the last qualifying game played in Abuja.
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