Golden Eaglets Are U-17 World Cup Champions


Nigeria have won the Fifa Under-17 World Cup for a record fourth time after beating Mexico 3-0 in the Final played at the Mohammad Bin Zayed Stadium on Friday evening.

The game started off with both teams desperately trying to impose themselves, with Musa Yahaya and Ivan Ochoa leading the onslaught for Nigeria and Mexico respectively.

Yahaya forced Eric Aguirre to score an own-goal after a devastating counter-attack by the Eaglets in the 9th minute, to give Nigeria the advantage.

But the Mexicans continued to threaten, with Ochoa leading the charge for the North Americans as they successfully pegged Nigeria to their own half by the quarter-hour.

The Eaglets however eased themselves back into the game with Yahaya coming close to doubling Nigeria's lead on several occasions, as he hit the crossbar in the 38th minute, just moments after Awoniyi had struck the side netting after rounding the Mexican goalkeeper, to ensure Nigeria held their slim advantage going into the break.

The second half resumed with Idowu threatening the Mexicans with a shot that was well handled by Raul Gudino.

But Nigeria eventually got the much sought after goal in the 56th minute when Gudino fumbled Musa Mohammed's cross into the path of Kelechi Iheanacho who blasted in to give Nigeria a two goal cushion, as the Eaglets took effective control of the game from thereon.

The Mexicans continued to search desperately for a goal, but it was Nigeria who scored yet again through the team's skipper Mohammed who struck in a well taken free kick in front of the Mexican box to seal the win for Nigeria.

Nigeria are now the most successful nation in the U-17 cadre having lifted the trophy for a record fourth time. The Eaglets also set a goal scoring record with their haul of 26 goals, thus eclipsing Germany's record of 24 goals set in 2011.

kickoffnigeria.com

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