Chad coach Jean Paul Akono said the poor state of football infrastructure in the country was responsible for the national team´s failure to qualify for the Nations Cup.
"When I came here, I met football in its embryonic stage.
"We have no structure [for development] and we have very few domestic competitions," Akono told journalists during a visit to Cameroon.
"To get a national team, my assistants and I organised a tournament from which we selected players."
The Cameroonian coach, who led his home country to the gold medal at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, took over the Chadian team earlier in the year.
Akono believed that given the circumstances under which he had to work during the Nations Cup qualifiers, he had not
disappointed his employers.
"I am not worried about the renewal of my contract, because I have done a job which is greatly appreciated by my employers and the fans."
The coach said the Nations Cup qualifying series provided his players with a rare chance to gain international experience.
But he believes that the development of a thriving domestic league is a priority.
"The federation must reorganise the national league and make it more competitive.
"Youth football also needs to be developed, so it is fortunate that Fifa agreed to construct a technical training centre for Chad."
"If Chad is to become a great footballing power, they must adopt the good habits of other African countries that are successful."
