Ademola Bankole is not a happy man.

His team Nigeria have just endured their worst African Nations Cup display for 25 years, after disappointingly losing at the quarter-final stage to ten-man Ghana.

For goalkeeper Bankole, who is working at Colchester United as a temporary goalkeeper coach, to see the country he represented bow out of the tournament so meekly was something of a let down.

"When we're attacking, we're a little bit laid back," reasoned Bankole, after watching the two-time winners bow out of the competition.

While he is naturally disappointed with the Super Eagles' showing, the 38-year-old believes the influx of African talent in English football will increase over the coming years.

"I think clubs will start looking at the African players more and more," said Bankole.

"But the African Nations Cup has been a problem for them because it's around January and February - and that is affecting the clubs.

"They are fighting for the African Nations Cup to be played around June time.

"That might affect the progress of African players in this country but apart from that, we have some good players in Africa - they can play at the highest level."

While he remains a keen follower of Nigeria's footballing fortunes, Bankole is now an established figure in English football.

He has been a goalkeeper in England for some 13 years, taking in the likes of Queens Park Rangers, Crewe Alexandra and Grimsby Town, where he was nicknamed George' by the then Mariners boss, Alan Buckley.

Bankole also represented Bradford City on loan during their Premier League days, where he was a team-mate of current U's keeper, Aidan Davison.

The pair struck up a good friendship while at Valley Parade, so much so that Bankole was the first person Davison thought of when he was searching for someone to cover him at goalkeeper coach at Layer Road, following his shoulder operation last month.

"I'm a good friend of Aidan's," said Bankole, who also works for the Football Association coaching Level One goalkeepers.

"I know him from when we were playing for Bradford City when they were in the Premier League.

"I went to Bradford as cover for three months.

"We've stayed friends since then and we've played against one another a few times too, so we've always stayed in touch."