Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets defeated Mali 2-0 in the final of the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Vina Del Mar, Chile to become the second team to retain the trophy.
This is the fifth time Nigeria has won the FIFA U-17 World Cup but this is its first win outside the Asian continent – all previous wins were in China (1985), Japan (1993), Korea Republic (2007) and United Arab Emirates (2013).
Victor Osimhen was again the star man for Nigeria, scoring his record-breaking tenth goal of tournament before Funsho Bamgboye sealed the win with a goal moments later.
Both teams were inseparable at the break but Nigeria came out firing in the second half.
Substitute Chinedu Madueke laid a sublime pass to Osimhen for his tenth goal of the tournament, which sees him surpass the nine goals scored by Frenchman Florent Sinama Pongolle in 2001 and Souleymane Coulibaly four years ago.
Nigeria made sure of the victory some minutes later, with Bamgboye racing down the left wing before driving a powerful effort past Diarra.
As expected, Victor Osimhen was awarded the golden boot as the top scorer in the tournament. He was also voted the second best player in the tournament behind his teammate, Kelechi Nwakali.
Golden Eaglets captain, Nwakali also finished third highest goal scorer in the tournament and took home the bronze boot for his efforts.
Malian keeper, Samuel Diarra was adjudged the best goalkeeper at the tournament and was awarded the golden gloves.
FIFA U-17 World Cup (Awards)
ADIDAS GOLDEN BALL
1. Kelechi Nwakali (Nigeria)
2. Victor Osimhen (Nigeria)
3. Aly Malle (Mali)
ADIDAS GOLDEN BOOT
1. Victor Osimhen (Nigeria)
2. Johannes Eggestein (Germany)
3. Kelechi Nwakali (Nigeria)
ADIDAS GOLDEN GLOVE
1. Samuel Diarra (Mali)
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This article was first published on 9th November 2015 and updated on November 10th, 2015 at 9:42 am
arinzeude
Arinze Ude is a PhD Student at the University of the West of England Bristol, UK, where he's exploring on the mechanisms of donor cell leukaemia. He shares his deep thoughts on his blog and the Naked Convos. He is keen to promote personal development of the Nigerian youth via thought-provoking articles.
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