Nigeria wins FIFA U-17 World Cup in Estadio Sausalito in Vina del Mar, Chile. The feat was achieved by defeating their African counterpart Mali 2 goals to nil.Osimhen opened the scoring in 56′ minutes and Funsho Bamgboye sealing it with a superb left foot roofing shot in the 59′ minutes.
Victor Osimhen stole the show once again thanks to his record-breaking tenth goal of the tournament, with Funsho Bamgboye adding a second moments later. Samuel Diarra had saved an early Osinachi Ebere penalty as the Malians played their part in an entertaining finale to Chile 2015.
The penalty came as both sides were just finding their rhythm in the opening exchanges, Chato the culprit with a handball. Ebere saw his low effort saved brilliantly by Diarra, the No17’s follow up header hit the bar before a third bite of the cherry was blocked by the Malian defence.
Both sides had chances in a tense opening period, with Golden Eaglets skipper Kelechi Nwakali hitting just wide and Boubacar Traore seeing his glancing header tipped over by Akpan Udoh.
The second half saw the game burst into life, with Emmanuel Amuneke’s words clearly working their magic on the Nigerian youngsters. Osimhen shrugged off the challenge of Mamadou Fofana before hitting a wonderful dipping half volley towards goal, which Diarra spectacularly saved. Udochukwu Anumudu then smashed a thunderous effort at goal, which rebounded back off the crossbar and was cleared away.
Mali did not heed those warnings. Good approach play by substitute Chinedu Madueke saw him tee up Osimhen for his record-breaking goal, seeing him surpass the nine goals scored by Florent Sinama Pongolle in 2001 and Souleymane Coulibaly ten years later.
The holders doubled their advantage mere minutes later, with Bamgboye bursting down the Nigerian left before smashing a powerful effort at goal, Diarra standing little chance.
Despite a couple of late chances for Mali, from corner kicks, Nigeria retained possession for large spells and saw the game out to retain their crown. The jubilant scenes on the final whistle in Vina Del Mar will surely live long in the memories of these Nigerian heroes of the present, some of whom may just become the stars of the future.
Nigeria wins the FIFA U-17 for a record fifth time. China 85 (Nduka Ugbade); Japan 93 (Wilson Oruma, Nwankwo Kanu, Celestine Babayaro); South Korea 2007 (Haruna); UAE 2013 (Dele Alampasu, Isaac Success, Kelechi Iheanachor etc) and now Chile 2015 (Nwakali, Osimhen, Anumudu, Bamgboye, Udoh, Lazarus, Enogele, Zakari, Ikwu, Alimi, Ebere, Madueke, Chukwueze, etc).
For the second time in the history of the FIFA U-17 World Cup, it was an all-African affair as Nigeria and Mali battled for the top prize in Chile.
When a similar scenario played out 22 years ago in Japan, it was the Golden Eaglets team then captained by Wilson Oruma that finished victorious; beating Ghana to the trophy.
Though the pedigree of Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets speaks volume having won the tournament a record four times, the unpredictability of Mali who are the current champions of Africa suggests that a thrilling climax is on the cards at this year’s final.
Only Brazil, who won the 1997 and 1999 editions have successfully defended the U-17 title.
The current Golden Eaglets team, with over 150 million Nigerians behind them have achieved the Brazil feat.
