IT HAS BEEN A VERY SUCCESSFUL YEAR FOR NIGERIA IN FOOTBALL...HAS THE PREZ A HAND IN IT THAT WE DON'T KNOW?

Nigeria win Under-17 World Cup

Nigeria won the Under-17 World Cup for a record fourth time on Friday with a 3-0 win over champions Mexico.

Erick Aguirre's own goal put the Golden Eaglets in front in Abu Dhabi.

The Nigerians doubled their lead with a tap in from Kelechi Iheanacho before captain Musa Mohamed's free kick sealed the win.

Nigeria also picked up the tournament's fair-play award and Dele Alampasu was awarded the Golden Glove for being the best goalkeeper.

Nigeria's record in UAE

• Played: 7


• Won: 6


• Drew: 1


• Lost: 0


• Goals For: 26


• Goals Against: 5

The first goal came after nine minutes from a Nigerian counter-attack moments after the Mexicans had threatened at the other end.

The Golden Eaglets broke quickly to create a three-against-one situation, and as Musa Yahaya was about to pull the trigger, Aguirre's attempted clearance ended up in his own net.

Yahaya nearly doubled the lead in the 39th minute but his shot crashed against the bar.

Moments later, Taiwo Awoniyi tried a spectacular overhead kick but it went straight into the arms Raul Gudino in the Mexican goal.

Nigeria record at U17 World Cup

• Winners: 1985, 1993, 2007, 2013


• Runners-up: 1987, 2001, 2009

Mexico threatened the Nigerian goal a couple of times in the first half but found Alampasu in inspired form.

The Mexicans pressed early in the second half but it was Nigeria who doubled their lead when Gudino parried a long range shot into the path of Kelechi Iheanacho, who tapped in for his sixth goal of the tournament.

With 15 minutes left on the clock, the Mexicans had a great chance to score but Ivan Ochoa headed wide.

The title was sealed when captain Mohamed curled a free kick round the wall from the edge of the area with nine minutes left.

The victory in the United Arab Emirates caps a successful year for Nigeria after the senior team won the Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa in January.

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UNDER-17 WORLD CUP...THE NEXT MATCH AGAINST MEXICO COULD BE ROPE-A-DOPE FOR EAGLETS!... WHAT MUST THEY DO TO REMAIN GOLDEN?

Eaglets’ll be turbo-charged against Mexico

Coach Manu Garba said yesterday  that the Golden Eaglets will be turbo-charged to defeat Mexico in Friday’s final of the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Abu Dhabi.

Garba last night saw his charges steam-roll their way to the final of the tournament, with a comprehensive 3-0 bashing of Sweden at the Rashid Stadium in Dubau and speaking at the post-match conference, a jubilant coach said he was in seventh heaven to see his troops damage their Scandinavians, who he praised for reaching this stage of the tournament.



DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – NOVEMBER 05: Head coach Manu Garba celebrates after the FIFA U-17 World Cup UAE 2013 Semi Final match between Sweden and Nigeria at Al Rashid Stadium on November 5, 2013 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by FIFA)

While also hailing Mexico for reaching the final after suffering a 6-0 opening defeat against the Eaglets, Garba said he was confident that his troops would make it a double against the North American side, who have ousted Brazil and Uruguay to reach the summit.

“Sweden tried  but we showed our quality. I commend my players for achieving this victory and hope for a similar performance against Mexico, who I commend for getting to this stage.

They have done well and earned their place in the final but my team are turbo-charged for
the final.

“We have come this far, playing well and it is time for God to crown our efforts with the Cup on Friday.”

VANGUARD

BECAREFUL,GOLDEN EAGLETS.WHICH GOAL FEAST? NO SIGN SWEDEN WILL BE EASY PREY TODAY...KICK-OFF AT 5PM.

We’ll swoop on Sweden – Eaglets

Golden Eaglets have promised Nigerians a goals feast in today’s FIFA U-17 World Cup semifinal match with Sweden at Rashid Stadium, Dubai.

Eaglets have scored 20 goals in five matches, the most by any team in the tournament holding in the United Arab Emirates and as they gear up for another match with the Swedes, who they   held to a 3-3 thrilling draw at the Khalifa Bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain, the

Nigerians, who could only manage to score twice in Saturday’s quarter final win against Uruguay, say goals will come aplenty against the Scandinavians.



SHARJAH, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – NOVEMBER 02: Players of Nigeria pose for a team photo prior to the FIFA U-17 World Cup UAE 2013 Quarter Final match between Uruguay and Nigeria at Sharjah Stadium on November 2, 2013 in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by FIFA)

“I am confident the team will score many goals against Sweden”, said midfielder Akinjide Idowu, ruled out of today’s game because of two yellow cards. “Even though I am not going to play, I am very confident that the other players will do well.

Sweden are good but we want this win more and are ready to go the extra mile to achieve our target”,added Idowu at the pre-match conference.

Also speaking, Coach Manu Garba said the match will be played with all seriousness, noting that “we can’t afford to go back to Nigeria empty handed without the cup. These boys will win tomorrow (today) and go on to win the Cup.

It’s the Cup or nothing for us. The game will be tight but the players are ready to score many goals against Sweden.
“I repeat that it is the Cup or nothing for us. We have come a long way and can’t afford to lose now. We will beat Sweden”, added Garba, who conceded that Sweden are good in the air.

“They have tall players, which make them good with aerial balls but I have the antidote to cut off their crosses”