Antonio Valencia don waka comot Manchester United after 10-years and e don return back to im country Ecuador to sign for Liga Deportiva Universitaria.
June 30, 2019
Lowly –rated Madagascar shocked Nigeria 2-0 as an awful performance by the Super Eagles handed the Indian Ocean islanders leadership of Group B and condemned the three –time champions to ignominious second place and a probable encounter with the Black Stars of Ghana in the Round of 16.
In what would forever remain a day to forget in Nigerian Football, the group leaders started on the wrong footing as Leon Balogun failed to deal with a routine back pass, leading to the ball being snatched by Lailana to score the first goal for the competition debutants after only 13 minutes.
The Eagles, who won each of their two previous matches by the odd goal, showed a palpable lack of mental power to respond, with Samuel Kalu fluffing a great pass by Ahmed Musa in the 19th minute and Musa himself, left with the goalkeeper to beat as a pass found him in the eighteen-yard box, bungled with a poor first touch, and his subsequent attempt to dribble the goalkeeper failed.
In the second half, instead of working hard to get on level terms in no time, Nigeria quickly found themselves further behind when substitute Wilfred Ndidi deflected a free kick by Carolus Andrea past a wrong-footed goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa.
A deep soul –searching is imminent in the Nigeria camp after such a flat performance, against a team rated lower than 100th in the world and making its first –ever appearance at the Africa Cup of Nations.
First touches left the Eagles’ midfielders and forwards down, as they made heavy weather of simple passes and controls, and creativity was totally lacking in a team that earned a ticket to Egypt with a match to spare.
Skipper Mikel John Obi, making his 89th appearance for the Eagles, was a shadow of himself, but Alex Iwobi was no magnificent difference when he came on, just as Moses Simon and Wilfred Ndidi brought no spark or innovation on board when they were introduced.
Such a sound beating by a team that had never scored against Nigeria in four pervious meetings was a dampener, and it would be interesting to see how the Eagles overcome this adversity and put up a show in their Round of 16 encounter at the same venue on Saturday.
While Madagascar finished the group stage unbeaten and scored two lovely goals from dead-ball situations, the Super Eagles have not been able to make hay from free kicks in decent memory, calling to question the continued delegation of the responsibility to one man who has refused to perfect his act. Three opportunities presented themselves from 20 yards and were all wasted in nonchalant manner.
Coach Gernot Rohr, who rang five changes to the team that defeated Guinea on Wednesday, must now come up with the formula to lift a dispirited dressing room before Saturday.
Team Nigeria lost to Brazil in their historic opening match at the Red Bull Beach Arena of the ongoing World Beach Volleyball Championship in Hamburg, Germany.
First timers Madagascar are group B leaders after beating the Super Eagles of Nigeria in their final 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) Group match at the Alexandria Stadium in Egypt on Sunday.
The Super Eagles of Nigeria are up against their counterparts from Madagascar in their final Group B match in the ongoing African Cup of Nations, AFCON, championship in Egypt.
Eunisell Ltd Friday rewarded Akwa United striker Mfon Udoh and Nasarawa United forward Sunusi Ibrahim with 2 million Naira each after the duo emerged as the joint-highest goal scorers in the 2019 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season.
Mikel, Troost-Ekong return to Super Eagles Starting XI, Jamilu Collins in Contention
After sitting out the first two group games, Jamilu Collins is likely to make his AFCON debut Today when Nigeria face Madagascar in the final round of Group B matches.
Former Nigerian Athletics Star helps knock Cristiano Ronaldo into Shape for new season
Cristiano Ronaldo may be one of the greatest athletes in the world but he still needs help every now and then, and on this occasion he turned to former Nigerian Sprint star Francis Obikwelu, as he begins pre season early.
Super Eagles second choice goalkeeper, Ikechukwu Ezenwa said he has recovered from the minor injuries that has kept him out of actions for Nigeria at the ongoing African Cup of Nations in Egypt.
The former Enyimba goalkeeper has moved to ahead of 2018 World Cup first choice goalkeeper Francis Uzoho in the pecking order and he’s likely to be between the sticks when the three time African Champions take Madagascar on Sunday( today).
When asked about his fitness ahead of the game, he said,“Ikechukwu Ezenwa is fine, fit and ready to play, I give all glory to God for quick recovery. I am back in training and doing my best”.
The 31-year-old Katsina United man added that the Super Eagles will have their hands full against the debutants, because they have proven to be a very good side.
Senate President Lawan, Speaker Gbajabiamila, Others Storm Egypt For Eagles
President Muhammadu Buhari has picked the President of the Senate, Ahmed Lawan, as leader of the Federal Government delegation to the ongoing 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals in Egypt.
Also on the delegation are the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha.
Governors Ifeanyi Okowa and Babajide Sanwo-Olu, of Delta and Lagos respectively, are equally to be part of the delegation.
There is also the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), Habu Gumel, and a Representative of the Presidency; Captain Hosa Okunbo.
The Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports, Olusade Adesola, and Muhammad Gambo, the ministry’s Director of Facilities, are also members of the delegation.
A former Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung, completes the 11-man list.
Members of the delegation are expected to arrive in Egypt next week, in time for the Super Eagles’ Round of 16 encounters.