The highly rated Super Eagles of Nigeria have been sent packing out of the Nation’s Cup.
The Eagles who qualified suberbly for the round of 16 failed to soar against the Cathage Eagles of Tunisia when it mattered most.
After an uninspiring first half in which both sides played cautiously and scored no goals, the Super Eagles conceded the only goal of the match in the second.
Luck equally ran out against the Nigerian side when Alexander Iwobi got a red while trying to guard the ball.
That decision came after a yellow had been issued by the centre referee to the former Arsenal player.
President Muhammadu Buhari denied of the opportunity of lifting the African Cup
Despite being one man down, Nigeria pressed on for the equalizer, coming face to face with the Tunisian post at least twice, but ill-luck stood between her and a place in the quarter finals.
While Tunisians celebrate their victory, a hush has fallen all over Nigeria as Nigerians known for their love for football ponder over the turn of events.
Several years after struggling to build a credible side, the current team was seen as the most balanced and most talented.
The Nation’s Cup goes on in Cameron, nonetheless without the tantalizing play of the Nigerians.
There would be lessons to learn, perhaps painful decisions to take on the road to the World Cup.
Some how, Nigeria will be meeting Ghana, another football powerhouse which crashed out of AFCON.
Both countries have been drawn to fight it out in the world cup qualifiers. The Ghanaians who sacked their coach after a poor outing in AFCON would be hoping to set aside a typical Nigerian challenge to book a place in the World Cup.
Bruised by the Tunisians, Nigeria would do everything in the books to emerge on the world stage.
There are likely to be calls for Egwavoen to go. Such calls usually occur after defeats on the turf.
Observers say he has put up a good show within a short space of time as the chief sweat merchant of the Eagles.
What would the authorities do? Will they be driven by the passion to recruit a foreign coach?