Apart from becoming the only team to win the trophy five times, the Eaglets also became only the second side to retain the cup after Brazil with yesterday's victory. In addition, striker Victor Osimhen, who won the golden boot as the leading goal scorer also set a tournament record by finding the back of the net 10 times during the competition.
In only the second ever all-African final, the Eaglets got off to a business-like start, attacking the Malians from the kick-off and won a penalty in the fourth minute. Unfortunately, Osinachi Ebere failed to score from the resultant kick, bringing out a save from Malian goalkeeper Samuel Diarra and then hit the rebound against the crossbar.
However, as the half wore on the Eaglets stepped up the tempo of the game, with Osimhen creating all sorts of problems with his runs down the channels. Both sides had chances in the half, with Eaglets skipper Kelechi Nwakali seeing his effort go wide and Boubacar Traore seeing his glancing header tipped over by Nigerian goalkeeper Akpan Udoh.
Despite the number of chances created the first half ended goalless, however, giving the final a bit of a drab appearance. At the restart, however, things changed as it appears that coach Emmanuel Amunike's team talk spurred his wards into action and they came out with all guns blazing.
Almost immediately after the restart, Osimhen shrugged off the challenge of Mamadou Fofana before hitting a wonderful dipping half volley towards goal, which Diarra spectacularly saved. Udochukwu Anumudu then smashed a thunderous effort at goal, which rebounded back off the crossbar and was cleared away.
Mali did not heed those warnings, however, and good approach play by substitute Chinedu Madueke, whi came on for Ebere at half time, saw him tee up Osimhen for his record-breaking goal in the 56th minute. His tenth goal saw him surpass the nine goals scored by Florent Sinama Pongolle in 2001 and Souleymane Coulibaly in 2011.
Nigeria doubled her advantage three minutes later, with Bamgboye bursting down the Nigerian left before smashing a powerful effort at goal with 59 minutes on the clock. From then onwards, there was only going to be one winner in the match.
Amunike said: "We wanted to make no mistakes but we lost the ball many times in the midfield in the first half but I don’t want to complain because they are all kids. We changed some things in the second half and made some substitutes that brought us more safety in our game.
"We are thankful for everything as we wanted to bring the players to their dreams and we did it. We have worked very hard for this success and we hope to continue, so the players will go home now but their journey is not over yet."
Malian coach Baye Ba, added: "It was a tough match as Nigeria was well-placed and we often acted very unorganised. We didn’t pay attention twice and conceded two goals.
One team wins because the other team makes mistakes but this is the first time Mali reached the final. If you believe that you can win a game, then you are sad when you lose, nevertheless we can be very proud as not many teams reach the second place."
Apart from lifting the trophy, the Eaglets also took home several individual accolades with Osimhen winning the golden boot as the highest goalscorer as well as the silver ball for being the second best player in the tournament. Nwakali won the golden ball having been adjudged the best player in the competition, as well as the bronze boot for being the third highest goalscorer.
Earlier on in the day, Belgium had won the bronze medal after beating Mexico 3-0 in the third place play-off match. Mali's Diarra won the golden glove as the best goalkeeper of the tournament, while Ecuador won the fair play trophy.
Highlights: http://ift.tt/1iNif8S
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