Home FEATURES Golden Eaglets ‘Take Mali Clean Mouth,’ Go Home With World Cup Again

Golden Eaglets ‘Take Mali Clean Mouth,’ Go Home With World Cup Again

Eaglets are Champs

Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets sent their West African opponents, Mali, into the back-seat early this morning with 2-0 win to retain, for the fifth time, the FIFA U17 World Cup title.

As predicted by many, it was largely an even first half contest between the Eaglets and their Malian counterparts who are Africa’s defending champion.

Nigeria blew away the chance for an early inside the first four minutes as Ebere failed to convert the penalty awarded for a hand ball offence by a Mali player.

That nonetheless, Golden Eaglets gangling striker Victor Osimhen broke the deadlock in the 56th minute and three minutes later the lead by Nigeria was doubled as Funsho Bamgboye increased the tally with Classic finish hitting the roof top.

The sumptuous goal by Osimhen was his 10th goal of the tournament which makes him the record holder of the most goals scored by an individual at one single FIFA U17 World Cup tournament.

The Golden Eaglets before the Mali clash had recorded good results at the Estadio Sausalito in Vina del Mar where they crushed Chile 5-1 in their second group phase match, annihilated Australia 6-0 in the second round and battered Brazil 3-0 in the quarter final.

The venue proved a lucky ground yet again as Nigeria triumphed over Mali albeit after early scares.

The successful defence recorded by Nigeria makes them only the second country after Brazil to record back-to-back wins in the cadet World Cup.

Brazil achieved that feat; winning the 1997 and 1999,editions. [myad]

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