The Missing Giants at African Nations Cup 2012

Pin It Now! Article first published as The Missing Giants at Africa Nations Cup 2012 on Technorati.

The 2012 Orange African Nations Cup is finally around the corners and the nations of Equatorial Guinea and Gabon would be agog with celebrations because the press would beam their cameras toward these nations for the next three weeks as the best football countries in the continent battle to emerge the new Champions.

However, one thing is certain, some of the best teams would not be there to fly their national flags simply because they failed to qualify in a continent where the minnows are gradually becoming stronger and edging out the so called giants. Some of the regulars would definitely not be there this year and the fans would have to cope with that reality.

According to Cafonline.com, Abedi Ayew Pele the veteran Ghanaian midfield maestro is already feeling the impact the absence of some of these great teams would have on the tournament. He believes there would be surprises at the tournament especially with the inability of some of the regular teams to qualify.

Egypt which is the best African team as far as the Nations cup is concerned failed to qualify for this year’s edition, making it impossible for them to come and defend the trophy they won last in Angola 2010. This is really worrisome as the Pharaohs remain the best team with 7 Gold trophies (the highest), and they are also the defending Champions. Their absence would make the biennial fiesta look so ordinary.

Cameroon would not be represented by the Indomitable Lions featuring the likes of Samuel Eto’o Fils, Alex Song, Wemo, etc. The Indomitable Lions have won the Nations Cup 4 times. Their makossa dance would surely be missed by all. It’s on record that the Indomitable Lions are one of the most successful African Football teams and the first to get to the quarter final stage of the World Cup (Italian ’90).

Nigeria, arguably the most successful African team in all categories would be missed. The Super Eagles voted the most entertaining team in USA’94 would be missing in action. So far they have won 2 Gold, 4 silver and 7 bronze at the Nations Cup. The likes of Yakubu Aiyegbeni, Vincent Enyeama, Ikechukwu Uche, Peter Osaze Odewingie, etc. would not be there to add colours to the fiesta.

South Africa’s Bafana Bafana would also be out and soccer enthusiasts would surely miss the host of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The Bafana Bafana has won the Nations Cup once as a host in 1996. They are an emerging force in African football and soccer fans would have loved to see them there.

Algeria’s Desert Warriors who have also won the tournament once would be missing in action. They were the same people who edged out Egypt from the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa; but now they are going to be missed.

The Missing Giants at African Nations Cup 2012