FIFA U-17 Cup Final: Nigeria Vs Mali Preview

Defending champions Nigeria collide with Mali in an exciting all-African U-17 World Cup final on Sunday at the Estadio Sausalito Vina Del Mar.

Date: Sunday, November 8
Kick-off Time: 19.00 (11pm Nigerian Time)
Venue: Estadio Sausalito, Vina Del Mar
Referee: Michael Oliver (England)

The Golden Eaglets advanced to the final thanks to a 4-2 win over Mexico in the semi-final and an impressive 3-0 victory at the expense of Brazil in the quarter-final. Emmanuel Amuneke’s men reached the final for an astonishing 8th time in 11 attempts and will be eyeing a 5th title on Sunday night.

Les Aiglonnets on the other hand, booked their ticket to the final for the first time in their history after a 3-1 win over Belgium in the semi-final and a 1-0 victory at the expense of Croatia in the quarter-final to achieve what no Malian selection has ever done by reaching a FIFA tournament final.

Unlike Mali, Nigeria have lost just a game in this competition and a win for them in the South American nation will give them their fifth U17 Word Cup diadem.

Golden Eaglets’ captain Kelechi Nwakali and star striker Victor Osimhen have both said that the match on Sunday would be a memorable encounter.

In a chat via FIFA.com (@FIFAcom), Nwakali said their West African foes would be accorded the respect of African champions but no quarter will be given at the Estadio Sausalito in Vina del Mar.

“We respect Mali because they are the African champions but we are not afraid of them,” said Nwakali. “It is going to be a memorable final and we are going to do our best against Mali on Sunday.”

Speaking in a separate interview on FIFA TV Football Show , Osimhen who is Chile 2015 top scorer with nine goals, said playing here has been a life-changing experience for him and he wished to be crowned
world champions.

“I have to thank the coach for bringing me to this tournament because it has been a life-changing experience for me personally,” he stated. “ I have been lucky to have scored those goals with the help of my teammates and together, we are going to play the final against Mali as the game of our lives.

“ We have seen the Malians and we have to follow the instruction of the coach in order to stop them from playing their style if we are going to beat them,” he added.

The second all- African final at FIIFA U-17 World Cup since Japan 1993 between Nigeria and Ghana, between Mali and Nigeria in the mean time will be handled according to FIFA by English referee, Michael Oliver and his compatriot assistant referees Stuart Burt and Gary Beswick will be joined by Costa Rican fourth official Ricardo Montero as the team of officials.

The match will kick off at 11:00 pm Nigerian time (7:00pm Chilean local time) and the Golden Eaglets would spot on the traditional green jersey.

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