Nigeria begin quest for a record world cadet championship crown as they battle the defending champions on Friday in Abu Dhabi. The final of the FIFA U-17 World Cup UAE 2013 will pit reigning championsMexico against three-time winners Nigeria. This highly anticipated clash will be the second time that the teams have faced each other at this year’s tournament, with both having emerged from the same section.
Nigeria have won all U-17 World tournaments hosted on Asian soil (China 85, Japan 93, South Korea 2007) and coach Garba Manu will be banking on this to breeze past the Raul El Potro Gutierrez’s side who were on the winning side when both countries last met at this same championship in 1987 when it was hosted by Canada.
Gutierrez will be banking on star player Marco Granados - team leading goal scorer at the Concacaf U17 championship and the likes of Pedro Teran and Francisco Calderon to cage the free scoring Nigerians whose only defeat till date was against Cote D’Ivore at the 2013 Africa U17 Championship, which was decided through penalty shootouts.
Top striker Success Isaac, with his clinical partner Kelechi Iheanacho, is expected to lead Nigeria’s attack with Musa Yahaya who plays for Mutunchi Academy and Chelsea’s Habib Makanjuola expected to torment their opponents through the flanks.
NIGERIA vsMEXICO
Who will clinch the World Cup; Nigeria or Mexico ?
Common sense is indeed not common.
Posted: at 7-11-2013 05:48 PM (11 years ago) | Hero
Nigeria have never lost their first match in the history of this competition.
Coach Garba Manu(pictured) was Yemi Tella's assistant to the U-17 World Cup in South Korea.
Nigeria have won all Fifa U-17 world cup hosted by Asian countries.
14-year oldChelsea midfielder, Habib Makanjuola is the youngest player in the Golden Eaglets' squad to this championship.
Mexico will be making their 11th appearance in this tourney.
Mexico have won the U-17 world cup twice, Nigeriathrice.
Wow…!!! Habib Makanjuola is 14?
Truly in 1987 Mexico beat Nigeria 1-0 in their group but did not make it to the next round. Whereas Nigeria got to the final but was defeated by Soviet Union also of the same group on penalties.
Talking of overage players every single soviet player was fully bearded and hefty. They were in their mid-20s I watched all Nigerian matches and the final was memorable. I will not forget Philip Osundo and every single player.
Great job by Coach Sebastian Broderick ….
Posted: at 7-11-2013 08:14 PM (11 years ago) | Gistmaniac
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