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Madagascar spank Eagles 2-0 to win Group B

Published

5 years ago

July 1, 2019

Madagascar spank Eagles 2-0 to win Group B

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 19^th 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 100^th 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 89^th 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.

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FG Approves N110 Billion to Rejuvenate the National Youth Investment Fund

Published

7 hours ago

May 18, 2024

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The Federal Government has approved N110 billion to revitalize the National Youth Investment Fund (NYIF), for the 2024 fiscal year to serve as a cornerstone for youth empowerment.

The Minister, Ministry of Youth Development, Dr. Jamila Bio Ibrahim, disclosed this during the closing ceremony of the Ministry’s Management Retreat on Presidential Priorities and Deliverables with the theme: ‘Achieving the Eight Presidential Priorities and Deliverables’ in Abuja.

She said the fund is not just a financial reservoir but a catalyst for youth entrepreneurship and innovation aimed at bridging the gap between ambition and opportunity.

Dr Ibrahim further stated that this administration is committed to empowering every Nigerian youth through actionable policies and innovative programmes, under the visionary leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which aligns with the renewed hope agenda.

“Federal Government has also approved the integration of Skills and Entrepreneurship Development into the NYIF programme, transitioning the NYIF Committee to an interim project management office, and investing N5 billion in the Youth Development Bank.” She added.

According to her, “the National Youth Development Bank (NEXTGEN BANK), a pioneering effort in partnership with the Bank of Industry and their private sector partners, represents a ground-breaking stride towards economic independence for our youth. With an initial take-off shareholder fund of N10 billion, this institution will be instrumental in nurturing young entrepreneurs and innovators who are the bedrock of our nation’s future.”

The Minister further explained that the Retail Development Financial Institution will be dedicated to providing financial solutions tailored specifically for young entrepreneurs, youth-backed ventures, and youth-sector enterprises, adding that with an initial capitalization of N10 billion, the bank is poised to be a pillar of support for youth-led enterprises, offering not just loans and equity but development, guidance, mentorship, and a network of resources. The Bank of Industry will be investing N2.5 billion and their private sector partners have committed to the balance of the N2.5 billion investment, and the bank will be private sector managed.

“The rehabilitation and transformation of Youth Development Centres across the country are set to commence immediately. These centres will be transformed into hubs of technical, digital, and creative skills training; bastions of social, political, and cultural engagement, amongst our youths; and sanctuaries for mental health and combatting the scourges of substance abuse and social decay. By investing in these centres, we are investing in safe spaces that foster the holistic development of the Nigerian youth”, she stated.

In his vote of thanks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Dunoma Umar Ahmed, expressed gratitude to the Federal Government, the Ministry, all development partners and stakeholders for their unwavering commitment and unflinching support towards lifting the quality of life of Nigerian youth.

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