- FINAL Highlights: Mali v. Nigeria - FIFA U17 World Cup Chile 2015
- 3rdPlace Highlights: Belgium v. Mexico - FIFA U17 World Cup Chile 2015
- Golden Eaglets retain their crown
- Falconets qualify for 2016 FIFA U-20 World Cup
- NPFL Results
- Premier League Results
3rd Place Highlights: Belgium v. Mexico - FIFA U17 World Cup Chile 2015
Golden Eaglets retain their crown, beat Mali 2-0
Nigeria became only the second side to retain the FIFA U-17 World Cup with a 2-0 win against Mali in Vina Del Mar. Victor Osimhen stole the show once again thanks to his record-breaking tenth goal of the tournament, with Funsho Bamgboye adding a second moments later. Samuel Diarra had saved an early Osinachi Ebere penalty as the Malians played their part in an entertaining finale to Chile 2015.
The penalty came as both sides were just finding their rhythm in the opening exchanges, Chato the culprit with a handball. Ebere saw his low effort saved brilliantly by Diarra, the No17's follow up header hit the bar before a third bite of the cherry was blocked by the Malian defence.
Both sides had chances in a tense opening period, with Golden Eaglets skipper Kelechi Nwakali hitting just wide and Boubacar Traore seeing his glancing header tipped over by Akpan Udoh.
The second half saw the game burst into life, with Emmanuel Amuneke's words clearly working their magic on the Nigerian youngsters. Osimhen shrugged off the challenge of Mamadou Fofana before hitting a wonderful dipping half volley towards goal, which Diarra spectacularly saved. Udochukwu Anumudu then smashed a thunderous effort at goal, which rebounded back off the crossbar and was cleared away.
Mali did not heed those warnings. Good approach play by substitute Chinedu Madueke saw him tee up Osimhen for his record-breaking goal, seeing him surpass the nine goals scored by Florent Sinama Pongolle in 2001 and Souleymane Coulibaly ten years later.
The holders doubled their advantage mere minutes later, with Bamgboye bursting down the Nigerian left before smashing a powerful effort at goal, Diarra standing little chance.
Despite a couple of late chances for Mali, from corner kicks, Nigeria retained possession for large spells and saw the game out to retain their crown. The jubilant scenes on the final whistle in Vina Del Mar will surely live long in the memories of these Nigerian heroes of the present, some of whom may just become the stars of the future.
FIFA.COM
The Big winners at the U-17 World Cup
The honour’s list established and overseen by FIFA’s Technical Study Group (TSG).
The captain of the Golden Eaglets was included in Nigeria’s provisional squad ahead of the 2013 edition, but was not named in the final party that went on to win the title. Here, however, the playmaker was the first to lift the trophy aloft. Coach Emmanuel Amuneke right-hand man out on the pitch, he shouldered responsibility and kept a cool head in difficult moments. He scored three goals, including two penalties, and provided a further three assists, a haul that was also brought him the adidas Bronze Boot.
Adidas Silver Ball: Victor Osimhen (Nigeria)
Even before the tournament kicked off in Chile Osimhen was touted as a favourite to win the adidas Golden Ball, having scored 39 goals in 71 outings for his country at that point, and finished as top scorer at the U-17 African Championship in March. The striker, who names Côte d’Ivoire forward Didier Drogba as his role model, more than lived up to expectations in Chile after finding the net in all seven games at the competition. Osimhen put his side 1-0 up on four occasions and his effort in the final – his tenth goal overall – set a new tournament record, beating the previous best-mark set by Côte d’Ivoire’s Souleymane Coulibaly in 2011 and France’s Florent Sinama Pongolle in 2001. Osimhen duly finished as top scorer in South America, and would doubtless not begrudge his team captain, of all players, pipping him to what would have been a second golden award.
Adidas Bronze Ball: Aly Malle (Mali)
Alongside Boubacar Traore, Sekou Koita and Sidiki Maiga, Malle formed part of an impressive attacking line-up that put opponents under pressure right from the off. Operating as a nominal striker, the No9 often dropped deep to pick up the ball and brought his team-mates into the game on countless occasions.
Adidas Golden Boot: Victor Osimhen (Nigeria/10 goals, 2 assists)
Adidas Silver Boot: Johannes Eggestein (Germany/4 goals, 0 assists)
Eggestein’s best performances for Germany came in the group stage, where he found the target four times in three matches to go joint-top of the scorers’ chart alongside Osimhen after the first phase of the tournament. Although the striker, who plays for Bundesliga club Werder Bremen, was unable to add to his tally after Germany were eliminated by Croatia in the Round of 16, he still did enough to win the adidas Silver Boot. “My strengths are my ability to anticipate a pass and my versatility,” Eggestein said in an interview with FIFA.com. His self-analysis is backed up by the statistics: he scored twice with his left foot, once with his right and once with his head.
Adidas Bronze Boot: Kelechi Nwakali (Nigeria/3 goals, 3 assists)
Adidas Golden Glove: Samuel Diarra (Mali)
For the fourth time in tournament history, the best goalkeeper of the finals was presented with an award. Following Benjamin Siegrist (Switzerland, 2009), Jonathan Cubero (Uruguay, 2011) and Dele Alampasu (Nigeria, 2013), this time the winner was Samuel Diarra, who reached the final with African champions Mali and routinely frustrated opposition strikers with some spectacular saves. The custodian dazzled in South America with his incredible reflexes and command of his penalty area, while he conceded fewer goals than any other goalkeeper at these finals, letting in just four in seven games.
FIFA Fair Play Award: Ecuador
In 1995 Ecuador posted their best achievement at an U-17 World Cup by reaching the quarter-finals on home soil. Now, 20 years on, the latest crop of players equalled that feat in Chile, and did so while winning over the hearts of the fans. In their five games at the tournament, the South Americans only committed 69 fouls, collected just four yellow cards and had one sending off for a second bookable offence, making coach Jose Rodriguez’s charges worthy winners of the FIFA Fair Play Award. Alongside a trophy, medals and a certificate, the Ecuadorian FA will also receive prize money of $10,000 USD, which can only used for football equipment for youth teams.
Falconets qualify for 2016 FIFA U-20 World Cup
Chinwendu Ihe zuo grabbed the winner against the hosts as the Falconets picked a precious ticket to Papua New Guinea 2016.
Nigeria’s U20 women team qualified for the Fifa U20 Women’s World Cup in Papua New Guinea after defeating hosts, South Africa 1-0 on Sunday, and winning 3-1 on aggregate.
Chiwendu Ihezuo’s solitary effort was all the Falconets needed to see off Basetsana in the second leg, final round at the Makhulong Stadium in Tembisa. Surprisingly, it was the Nigerians that had the brightest start against their hosts, coming close from a free kick in the seventh minute.
The Falconets kept dictating the pace in Tembisa, but the South Africans made a brave attempt on goal through Gabriela Salgado, however, her effort was thwarted by Nigeria’s goalkeeper Sandra Chiichii. In the 17th minute, the visitors snatched the precious lead through free scoring forward Ihezuo who silenced the home fans and raised her goal tally in the qualifying round to six.
The Basetsana rallied for a comeback, but struggled to contain lanky Ihezuo whose continued torment on the hosts’ defence but with her effort going over the bar. Nigeria retained their narrow lead to end the first half.
The Falconets have now qualified for the fifth time and will await the winner between Ghana and Ethiopia to emerge as Africa’s two representatives at the 2016 Fifa U20 Women’s World Cup in Papua New Guinea.
NPFL Results
Enyimba 0-0 Warri Wolves
Elkanemi Warriors 1-0 Wikki Tourists
Dolphins FC 2-1 Heartland FC
Sharks FC 1-0 Kwara United
Lobi Stars 2-0 Enugu Rangers
FC Ifeanyi Uba 0-2 Nasarawa United
Kano Pillars 1-0 Akwa United
Bayelsa United 1-2 Sunshine Stars
Giwa FC 1-0 Shooting Stars
FC Taraba 2-1 Abia Warriors
Premier League Results
SUN 8 NOV 2015
Aston Villa 0 - 0 Man City
Arsenal 1 - 1 Tottenham
Liverpool 1 - 2 Crystal Palace
SAT 7 NOV 2015
Bournemouth 0 - 1 Newcastle
Leicester 2 - 1 Watford
Man Utd 2 - 0 West Brom
Norwich 1 - 0 Swansea
Sunderland 0 - 1 Southampton
West Ham 1 - 1 Everton
Stoke 1 - 0 Chelsea
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