Habeeb Akinfegbe
Defending champions and record winners, Nigeria and impressive outsiders Mali overcame Mexico and Belgium respectively in the semi-finals of the FIFA U-17 World Cup Chile 2015 to advance to the final. In just their fourth appearance at this level, Les Aiglonnets have achieved a feat that no other Malian national side at any age category has ever managed: progressing to the showpiece match of a FIFA tournament. They were made to work hard for their reward, however, as the Belgians went toe-to-toe with them for large portions of the match. Lady Luck also played her part in the Africans’ victory, when a seemingly harmless long ball bamboozled the Belgian goalkeeper and allowed them to take a 2-1 lead.
Nigeria, meanwhile, booked themselves a place in the final for an astonishing eighth time in 11 attempts. Like Mali, Emmanuel Amuneke’s men were tested to the limit by an entertaining Mexico team, and in the process both sides produced what is likely to be regarded as the game of the tournament to date. Indeed, the clash had just about everything, including tit-for-tat scoring, six goals, three of which had fans leaping off their seats, and intense emotions until the very last kick of the ball.
The team won the maiden edition of FIFA U-17 World Cup in 1985 at China, the 1985 edition was sponsored by Kodak (when it was known as the U-16 tournament), 1993, 2007 and 2013; making them the first team ever to win the junior world cup four times. They also won the African Under-17 Championship in 2001 and 2007, and were runners-up in 1995. After the 2007 victory there was some discussion as to whether the success should be rewarded in the form of cash, or if longer-term investments were more suitable for teenage players. It was pointed out that some previous players had found themselves reduced to poverty due to injury or mismanagement of their funds.
Heading into the 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup which was held in Nigeria, head coach Henry Nwosu was replaced by John Obuh, coach of Kwara United. The Eaglets eventually finished second behind Switzerland. In 2011 planning was thrown into disarray however in August when over half the team was determined by bone scanning to be overage and excluded from the team.
Although Nigeria failed to qualify for the 2011 FIFA U-17 World Cup, they participated again in the 2013 edition of the tournament. In their first match, the team defeated the defending champions Mexico with a 6-1 score. They only failed to defeat Sweden in the group stage, but they did so in the semi-finals. In the final match they faced and defeated Mexico for a second time, obtaining their fourth U-17 World Cup and becoming the national team to win the most U-17 tournaments so far.
Honours
African U-17 Championship.
Winners (2): 2001, 2007
.Runners-up (2): 1995, 2013.
Third (1): 2003
FIFA U-17 World Cup.
Winners (4):1985, 1993, 2007, 2013.
Runners-up (3):1987, 2001, 2009
African U-17 Championship.
Winners (2): 2001, 2007
.Runners-up (2): 1995, 2013.
Third (1): 2003
FIFA U-17 World Cup.
Winners (4):1985, 1993, 2007, 2013.
Runners-up (3):1987, 2001, 2009
*The team never failed to win a semi final tie hence, no third place finish.
The Mali national under-17 football team reached the quarter-finals at the 2001 FIFA U-17 World Championship where they fell to Argentina although Burkina Faso avenged them in the third place match. The 2015 edition marks their first appearance in the semi final and final
Stunning stat!
Eight out of eight! That is Nigeria’s remarkable new record in U-17 World Cup semi-finals following their victory over El Tri at Chile 2015. In doing so, they also brought their opponents’ run of three previous semi-final triumphs (in three attempts) to an abrupt halt.
By scoring the penalty that extended Nigeria’s lead over Mexico to 4-2, striker Victor Osimhen took his goal tally for the tournament to nine, equalling the joint all-time record held by Ivorian Souleymane Coulibaly (2011) and Frenchman Florent Sinama Pongolle (2001). Few would bet against the African goal machine adding another in the final.
And come what may he should take Nigeria's golden shoe to three after Wilson Oruma in 93 and Macaulay Chrisantus in 2007.
Three is the number of times Nigeria has won the golden ball; Philip Osondu in 1987, Sani Emmanuel in 2009 and Kelechi Iheanacho in 2013.
The golden glove has only been won once by Dele Alampasu in 2013. Udoh Akpan is in contention for the award in this edition.
Eight out of eight! That is Nigeria’s remarkable new record in U-17 World Cup semi-finals following their victory over El Tri at Chile 2015. In doing so, they also brought their opponents’ run of three previous semi-final triumphs (in three attempts) to an abrupt halt.
By scoring the penalty that extended Nigeria’s lead over Mexico to 4-2, striker Victor Osimhen took his goal tally for the tournament to nine, equalling the joint all-time record held by Ivorian Souleymane Coulibaly (2011) and Frenchman Florent Sinama Pongolle (2001). Few would bet against the African goal machine adding another in the final.
And come what may he should take Nigeria's golden shoe to three after Wilson Oruma in 93 and Macaulay Chrisantus in 2007.
Three is the number of times Nigeria has won the golden ball; Philip Osondu in 1987, Sani Emmanuel in 2009 and Kelechi Iheanacho in 2013.
The golden glove has only been won once by Dele Alampasu in 2013. Udoh Akpan is in contention for the award in this edition.
The odds
Nigeria has never won the tournament outside Asian soil; all four were in China, Japan, South Korea and UAE.
Nigeria has never defended the tournament even though she has always played in the following final after her triumph except for 95.
As regards African oppositions, Nigeria has always had the upper hand. In the final of Japan 93, Nigeria defeated Ghana then in the semi- final in 2001, Nigeria equally pipped Burkina Faso 1-0 to advance to the final. The match kicks off by 11pm Nigerian time.
Nigeria has never won the tournament outside Asian soil; all four were in China, Japan, South Korea and UAE.
Nigeria has never defended the tournament even though she has always played in the following final after her triumph except for 95.
As regards African oppositions, Nigeria has always had the upper hand. In the final of Japan 93, Nigeria defeated Ghana then in the semi- final in 2001, Nigeria equally pipped Burkina Faso 1-0 to advance to the final. The match kicks off by 11pm Nigerian time.
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