Nigeria was on familiar turf again on Sunday, as their Under-17 national team, known in many circles as the Golden Eaglets, won an unprecedented fifth U17 World Cup in Chile.

 

The young Eaglets beat fellow African team Mali in only the second all-African final in the history of the competition, toppling them 2-0 in an action-packed encounter in Santiago.

 

The final match was a spectacle to watch as both African team put up a physical battle with sparks of skill and deft touches. And it was goals from tournament’s top scorer Victor Osimhen and Funsho Bamgboye in quick succession early in the second half that put paid to the Malians’ hope of winning their first crown.

 

Osimhen went on to secure a place in the record books bagging the highest scorer’s golden boot with a record setting 10 goals in 7 games; while team captain Kelechi Nwakali was the competition’s Most Valuable Player.

 

Having won it also in 2013 in the United Arab Emirates, Nigeria becomes only the second country to successfully defend an Under-17 World Cup crown.