Victory in Africa still means pain in Europe

Wednesday will see the start of the second round of matches at the on-going Caf/Orange Africa Cup of Nations taking place in Equatorial Guinea.

African football fans across the world were fixated as the players strutted other stuff on the field of play with great moves, goals and the accompanying celebrations.

Robert Kidiaba's eccentric celebration has become a fan favorite at the finals with Guinea also providing an exciting dance routine as they celebrated Yatabare's opener against Cameroon.

But not everyone is a fan of the Africa Nations Cup.

European managers haven't hidden their displeasure of the biennial event as it deprives them of their prized jewels when most European season's get into the deep end.

The French Ligue 1 has lost 73 players to the tournament with managers fuming all over due to their inability to have their players with them.

Manchester City haven't been at their usual swash buckling style since Yaya Toure departed for the Nations. Newly signed Wilfred Bony will also be unavailable for the Citizens for a lengthy period especially if the Ivory Coast advance further.

Championship side Wolverhampton Wanderer's have also lost their top striker Bakary Sako, who is with the Guinea team in Equatorial Guinea, a situation which left manager Kenny Jackett fuming.

Nigeria no show

The Super Eagles inability to qualify for the 2015 Orange/Caf Africa Cup of Nations has been received with a mixed bag of emotions from fans, managers and players.

OSC Lille goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama bemoaned the fact that the Eagles are not in Equatorial Guinea saying :"It's a hard to swallow" while congratulating Lille team mate Pape Ndiaye Souare who is in the Senegal team.

Hapoel Be'er Sheva midfielder John Ogu , who was part of Nigeria's squad to the 2013 Confederations Cup is one of the players ho said it is difficult watching the games on television without the 2013 champions in the hunt for the title.

"I find it hard to sit here and watch the action take place without Nigeria. This should never happen again." he told supersport.com after the Ivory Coast and Guinea game.

However there are some who are happy Nigeria didn't make it to the finals as they can have their Nigerian stars do the business for them.

Stoke City manager Mark Hughes has lost Biram Mame Diouf of Senegal but has Nigerian winger Victor Moses, who recently recovered from injury at his disposal.

Moses played his first game in weeks as Bojan Krkic scored the only goal during Stoke's 1-0 over Leicester in the Premier League last weekend.

Hughes was ecstatic Nigeria won't be at the tournament which means Moses will be available again instead of being away with the Super Eagles.

"Before his (Victor Moses) injury he was arguably our best player so it is fair to say I did jump for joy it was a bonus for us,"Hughes told the UK Daily Star newspaper.

"It is unfortunate for Nigeria but sometimes you have to be a bit single minded.

"We kept Victor back last week because he had only been with us for three or four days, and we didn't want to put him at risk.

"He came here and tore the place up really, when he first came in before his injury."the former Manchester City managed added.

The man who scored the lone goal for Nigeria to lift the 2013 edition of the tournament is also unhappy that the Eagles are not among the nations competing in Equatorial Guinea.

CA Bastia midfielder Sunday Mba, told supersport.com that Nigeria inability to qualify for the tournament is a dark shade and shows that Nigeria is own a downward trend

"I was actually shocked after we drew (our final qualifying) match against South Africa. It was a painful moment because it meant that we would not be going to Equatorial Guinea," Mba said.

"It is a very sad thing for the football world for an Afcon to be held without Nigeria but we must strive to bounce back from this, the 26 year old added.

Nigeria's absence, though hurtful for a lot of fans, is a blessing for others who will enjoy the services of the likes of John Obi Mikel at Chelsea, Vincent Enyeama at Lille and Kenneth Omerou in their teams.

For bad measure, a new African champion will be crowned on February 8 and Nigeria will once again be phrased as 'former winners' as the plans for redemption kick into gear.