Former international winger Segun Odegbami, a key member part of Nigeria's team that claimed the country's first Nations Cup title in 1980, believes success on the pitch will not return unless they "sort things at the administrative level".
"It is inexcusable that the great Super Eagles will not be at the biggest tournament in Africa twice in a row," Odegbami told BBC Sport.
"I don't think that we've had the kind of administration that would have shepherded football development so that we can fulfil our true potential.