Nigeria will make history today as only the second country to retain the U17 World Cup if they beat fellow Africans Mali in the final.
Brazil were the first team to successfully defend this trophy – they won in 1997 and retained it in 1999.
The Golden Eaglets have already won the competition a record four times, but they will go a step further if they successfully defend the trophy they won two years ago in Abu Dhabi.
Today’s showdown will be the second all-African FIFA U17 World Cup final since 1993, when Nigeria beat Ghana 2-1 at Japan ’93.
Nigeria coach Emmanuel Amuneke said: “The Malians are the African champions, and we have to respect them. Aside that, they have also had a great tournament here in Chile. But we are a team who find a way to play and function no matter the difficulty posed by the opposition.
“We thank God,we are going to play the final again today and this gives us the opportunity to defend the trophy we won in 2013.”
The final is going to be a tough and interesting contest as both teams have potent strike force with the athletic Nigeria having scored 21 goals, while the bigger and more physical Mali, who are ranked best attacking team with 132 goal attempts at the competition with 12 goals scored.
Victor Osimhen-led Eaglets strike force has a big job to do as Mali have conceded just two goals at the championship, one in the group stage against Ecuador and in the semis against Belgium.
Mali goalkeeper Samuel Diarra has made 10 big saves and will stand between Nigeria and goal as Victor Osimhen and Funsho Bamgboye, who has served out his one-match ban, go for goals for Nigeria.
The Nigeria defence and goalkeeper Akpan Udoh must be up and doing against the African champions who have 33 shots saved by opposing goalkeepers at this tournament.
Unlike Nigeria, whose bulk of goals were netted by Osimhen, Mali’s goals have been evenly spread with Sidiki Maiga their leading scorer with three goals, while Amadou Haidara, Sekou Koita, Aly Malle and Boubacar Traore have scored two goals apiece.
Kick-off is 11pm Nigerian time.
Brazil were the first team to successfully defend this trophy – they won in 1997 and retained it in 1999.
The Golden Eaglets have already won the competition a record four times, but they will go a step further if they successfully defend the trophy they won two years ago in Abu Dhabi.
Today’s showdown will be the second all-African FIFA U17 World Cup final since 1993, when Nigeria beat Ghana 2-1 at Japan ’93.
Nigeria coach Emmanuel Amuneke said: “The Malians are the African champions, and we have to respect them. Aside that, they have also had a great tournament here in Chile. But we are a team who find a way to play and function no matter the difficulty posed by the opposition.
“We thank God,we are going to play the final again today and this gives us the opportunity to defend the trophy we won in 2013.”
The final is going to be a tough and interesting contest as both teams have potent strike force with the athletic Nigeria having scored 21 goals, while the bigger and more physical Mali, who are ranked best attacking team with 132 goal attempts at the competition with 12 goals scored.
Victor Osimhen-led Eaglets strike force has a big job to do as Mali have conceded just two goals at the championship, one in the group stage against Ecuador and in the semis against Belgium.
Mali goalkeeper Samuel Diarra has made 10 big saves and will stand between Nigeria and goal as Victor Osimhen and Funsho Bamgboye, who has served out his one-match ban, go for goals for Nigeria.
The Nigeria defence and goalkeeper Akpan Udoh must be up and doing against the African champions who have 33 shots saved by opposing goalkeepers at this tournament.
Unlike Nigeria, whose bulk of goals were netted by Osimhen, Mali’s goals have been evenly spread with Sidiki Maiga their leading scorer with three goals, while Amadou Haidara, Sekou Koita, Aly Malle and Boubacar Traore have scored two goals apiece.
Kick-off is 11pm Nigerian time.