Record breaking has been a fete or a milestone not commonly associated with African teams in the football sporting events. In any tournament as usually organized by the world football organizing body, FIFA, it is common to address African teams to be best as trailing others records but never record breakers. But this credence has be upturned yesterday by the young lads from the West African country of Nigeria in the just concluded FIFA Under-17 World Cup held in Chile.
On 8th November, 2015, the Golden Eaglets of Nigeria defeated their continent co-patriots, Mali in the second ever all-African final at Estadio Sausalito Vina de Mar, Chile, by 2:0. The first of such all African final was the FIFA Under-17 final of 1993 held in Japan between Nigerian Golden Eaglets and Ghanaian Starlets. Nigeria Golden Eaglets won that encounter by 2 goals to 1, displacing Ghana to lift the trophy for the second time.
However, unlike the final of 1993, the 2015 grand finale at Estadio SausalitoVina de Mar possessed a brighter winning fete for the lads from Nigeria. On this date, two long outstanding records were broken. First was the record of 5th times winning by the Nigeria team which no country in the world has achieved in the sport of football in the Under-17 category. The second record breaking was the 10-goal scoring record by the Nigerian young prolific striker, Victor Osimhen. He broke the 9-goal scoring record held in 2001 by the young French striker, Sinama Pongolle when the same tournament was held in Trinidad and Tobago. Thus the young striker from Nigeria has successfully broken a 14 years long record which many football analysts have considered almost impossible to be broken at this time.
Victor Osimhen goal that broke the Malian's strength
At the award stage of the tournament after the final whistle, it was a bit of puzzle to many football fans that the MVP awards did not go to the man with the record-breaking goals. Many Nigerians had expected Victor Osimhen to scoop all the major awards. But at the awards time, another prolific player who doubled as the Nigerian team captain, emerged the MVP and thereby awarded the Adidas Golden Ball winner. However, Osimhen came second with the Adidas Silver Ball while the young Malian play maker, Ahly Malle came third with the Adidas Bronze Ball.
Below is the full awards and the recipients:
Adidas Golden Ball (MVP Award)
1. Kelechi Nwakali (Golden Ball) - Nigeria
2. Victor Osimhen (Silver Ball) - Nigeria
3. Ahly Malle (Bronze Ball) - Mali
Adidas Golden Boot (Highest Goal Scorers)
1. Victor Osimhen (Golden Boot)/10 goals - Nigeria
2. Johannes Eggestein (Silver Boot)/4 goals -Germany
3. Kelechi Nwakali (Bronze Boot)/3 goals - Nigeria
Adidas Golden Gloves (Best Goalkeeper)
Samuel Diarra - Mali
Fair Play Award
Ecuador
In another sport development, Enyimba International FC of Aba has been crowned the new champions of the 2014/2015 Nigerian Professional League (NPL). Enyimba claimed the title which is their seventh NPL title since 2001 after a goalless draw at home (Enyimba Stadium, Aba) with Warri Wolves FC who were also in contention for the title. With a game to complete the league, Enyimba will play their last league game away from home later in the month as already crowned champions.
SADOH MS' Blog
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