| credits: fifa.com
Nigeria’s
Golden Eaglets became the first country to win the FIFA Under-17 World
Cup for the fourth time on Friday after handing a comprehensive 3-0
defeat to their Mexican counterparts, El Tri, at the El Zayed Stadium
in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Despite the stiff opposition and the
early attacking play of the Mexicans, who had suffered a 6-1 defeat in
the hands of the Nigerians in their opening group match, the Golden
Eaglets got the first goal when Mexico’s Eric Aguirre, who was under
pressure from Eaglets Musa Yahaya in the ninth minute, tap the ball into
his own net.
Dele Alampasu, who was in goal for the
Nigerians, ensured that the Mexicans were kept at bay with brilliant
saves while Captain Musa Mohammed directed the Eaglets attacks from his
right full back position.
With full determination, the Mexicans
approached the second half, seeking an equalizer, but the Eaglets
ensured that the plan was a mirage as the El Tri’s goal tender, R.
Gugilo, parried a ferocious shot from Mohammed to the feet of an
onrushing Kelechi Iheanacho to score with a brilliant left tap-in from
the rebound.
The Golden Eaglets, despite their
brilliance hardly scores from set pieces, but Mohammed ensured that
spectators had a moment to remember as he scored Nigeria’s third goal
from a free kick to the top right corner of the Mexican net, a goal that
will long be remembered in the history of the cadet World Cup.
Apart from winning the cup, Nigeria also
won the FIFA Fair Play Award while Iheanacho won the Golden Ball (for
the Best Player) and the Silver Boot for emerging the second highest
goal scorer with six goals behind Bolden Berisha of Sweden, who won the
Golden Boot with seven goals.
Alampasu won the Golden Glove having emerged he best goal keeper in the tournament.
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