By KATE OBODO

Former Bayelsa FC Chairman, Felix Beke has said that Nigeria’s  absence in the 2012 Nations Cup which kicked-off Saturday  in Gabon/ Equatorial Guinea will be greatly felt by Nigerians especially football lovers  but was quick to add that it would give the country time to prepare adequately ahead  of next Nations Cup in 2013.

According to Beke: “ It is just a pity that we are not part of the teams that will feature in this  Nations Cup. It is good for Nigeria football, because it will give us the opportunity to make amends in our approach in the game,” he said.

On the team he tips to win the Nations Cup, he said, “I might not be able to come out with any team right now, but all I will say is that the competition will go  by preparation and how serious  the countries are. I will want to say that Ghana might go far and could be the champion based on their past experience, having lifted the coveted trophy on four occasions in the competition’s history.”

On Nigeria’s drop on the FIFA monthly ranking from 43rd to 45th Beke said, “ It is not a surprise  to me, because we do not deserve any form of promotion in our football. We have to wake up and do better,” he said.