Nigeria wins FIFA U17 World Cup

Nigeria on Friday evening walloped Mexico 3:0 to win the FIFA U17 World Cup in the United Arab Emirate for a record fourth time. Goals by Kelechi Iheanacho and skipper Musa Mohammed after an own goal by Mexico defender Erick Aguirre ensured the Africans deservedly cruised to the title. Aguirre turned the ball into his […]

Nigeria on Friday evening walloped Mexico 3:0 to win the FIFA U17 World Cup in the United Arab Emirate for a record fourth time.

Goals by Kelechi Iheanacho and skipper Musa Mohammed after an own goal by Mexico defender Erick Aguirre ensured the Africans deservedly cruised to the title.

Aguirre turned the ball into his own net in the 8th minute to put the Eaglets ahead.

The contest was tight through the first half with Nigeria’s goal keeper, Dele Alampasu standing tall between the sticks to keep the Eaglets in the lead into the break.

The Mexicans rallied round early in the second half to level but Alampasu was at his best to keep them at bay.

However, it was the Nigerians who doubled their lead in the 55th minute when the enterprising Iheanacho tapped in after Skipper Musa Mohammed’s shot was pushed towards him by the Mexican keeper.

In the 81st minute, Mohammed finally scored his own goal when he stepped up to fire home a free-kick just outside the box.

Apart from winning the trophy for a record fourth time, the Eaglets also broke the goal scoring record in a single tournament after netting 26 goals.

Coach of the team, Manu Garba said he is proud of the boys.

He maintained that they played as a team throughout the competition, assuring that the players would go on to excel in their profession.

Also, Nigeria’s most decorated player, Kanu Nwankwo expressed excitement with the performance of the Eaglets, saying the team will be kept together to grow stronger as a team.

Awards

Iheanacho was adjudged the best player of the tournament by FIFA, winning the most coveted ‘Golden Ball’.

Though, he was pipped to the ‘Golden Boot’ award by Sweden’s Vlamir Berisha who netted seven goals in the tournament, he got the ‘Silver Boot’ having scored six goals.

Nigeria won the ‘Fair Play’ Award while Keeper Dele Alampasu won the ‘Golden Glove’ as the best keeper of the tournament.