For the record fourth time, Nigeria Friday won the 2013 edition of the FIFA U-17 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) after defeating Mexico by 3-0 at the Bin Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi.
The Golden Eaglets recorded their first goal, an ‘own goal’ when Kelechi Iheanacho laid the ball in for Taiwo Awoniyi, who then passed to Musa Yahaya while te Mexican midfielder, Erick Aguirre mistakenly hit the ball into his own net.
With the score 1-0, Musa Muhammed was giving the Mexicans fits with his rampaging runs up the right side. He pinned the opponents back at every opportunity. As the first half pushed toward the interval, the Africans upped their tempo in search of a second goal.
Yahaya rattled the crossbar with a stunning effort from 20 yards out after 38 minutes. Pressure was mounting and the fans in the stands were on their feet when Awoniyi’s bicycle-kick from the penalty spot forced Raul Gudino into a magnificent reaction save in the dying moments of the half.
In the 56th minute, the Nigerian side increased the tally through the Captain, Muhammed who unleashed a wicked swirling shot that Mexican keeper Gudino simply couldn’t hang on to.
He spilled a rebound directly to the feet of the most dangerous man on the pitch, and Iheanacho made no mistake dispatching his sixth goal of the tournament.
With a quarter-hour to go, Mexico managed to carve out a rare second-half chance, but Ochoa’s header from close-range slipped wide of the post as the holders began to wilt under the ceaseless pressure of the buzzing Nigerians. Muhammed added a third with ten minutes to go, curling a sublime free-kick into the top corner.
Meanwhile, President Goodluck Jonathan in far away Guinea-Bissau has sent congratulatory message to the victorious Golden Eaglets, saying arrangements have been made to host them at the Presidential Villa on Sunday.
A statement by Presidential Media Adviser, Dr Reuben Abati reads, “On behalf of himself, the Federal Government and all Nigerians, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan congratulates the Golden Eaglets of Nigeria on their 3-0 triumph over Mexico in the final match of the 2013 FIFA Under-17 World Soccer Championship played Friday evening in Abu Dhabi.
“President Jonathan joins other very proud and happy Nigerians in saluting the glorious achievement of the Eaglets in winning the Under-17 Soccer Championship for an unprecedented fourth time.
“The President commends the young Eaglets for the exemplary commitment, dedication, resilience, determination, patriotism and unity of purpose they displayed through-out the tournament to make Nigeria the World’s Under-17 Football Champion once again.
“In fulfillment of his promise of a heroes’ welcome for the triumphant Golden Eaglets on their return home, President Jonathan will host a grand reception for the team at the Banquet Hall of the State House at 1900 Hours on Sunday, November 10, 2013 in appreciation of the great honour and glory they have brought to their fatherland.
“The President also urges the leadership of the Nigerian Football Federation to strive to ensure that the world-conquering Eaglets, who have shown such immense potentials as youngsters, are properly nurtured, trained and developed to represent the nation at higher levels in future international football competitions.
“He wishes the Golden Eaglets and their handlers a safe journey home and looks forward to receiving them in Abuja on Sunday”.
