Match Preview – Nigeria vs Mali U-17 World Cup Final

getty image

The Nigeria vs Mali tie will be the second time two teams from Africa are facing off in the finals of the FIFA Under 17 Championship. The two teams face each other in a World Cup final for the first time in Vina Del Mar on Sunday and English referee Michael Oliver will get the proceedings underway at the Estadio Sausalito in Vina Del Mar.

This will be Nigeria’s second successive trip to the final after beating Mexico 3-0 in the final to win the last edition in the United Arab Emirates.

After lifting a fourth title at the United Arab Emirates two years ago, the Golden Eaglets would be hoping to become the first team to win the championship on five occasions, an achievement that would see them match Brazil’s feat as of defending the tittle successfully.

Mali will also be standing in the way of making history as they arrive in Vina Del Mar from a 3-1 thumping of Belgium in the semi-final and crammed with confidence.

The two teams are arguably the best two sides at this year’s edition after powering their way to the final with some swashbuckling displays in the last two weeks.

It will be interesting to see how two sides, known for fast attacking football, go at each other in Sunday’s final. If both sides play the way they normally do, then we will be in for an entertaining football regalement.

It is also a game that provides Victor Osimhen a chance to seal his position in the pantheon of cadet football greats. He has scored in all the games in the competition, and stands just one goal away from smashing Florent Sinama Pongelle and Souleymane Coulibaly’s record of the most goals scored in a single tournament… Can you beat that?

Osimhen has been the main man for the Emmanuel Amuneke’s boys during the tournament, scoring nine goals so far which includes his treble in the last 16 victory over Australia.

The lanky forward is likely to again find the back of the net with the support of Funsho Bamgboye who missed the semi-final against the Mexico due to card suspension.

Whatever happens later tonight, Africa has won… let’s bring it home a little closer, West Africa has won.