Eaglets battle Mexico for trophy

Golden Eaglets striker, Kelechi Iheanacho

| credits: File copy

Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets will be the favourites on Friday when they face Mexico as the 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup comes to an end in Abu Dhabi in the UAE.

Their meeting, at the Mohammad Bin Zayed Stadium from 5 p.m. Nigerian time, is in the final match of the biennial competition, now in its 15th edition. They had met earlier, at Al Ain City on Oct. 19 in the opening Group F match, with the Eaglets winning 6-1 with Kelechi Iheanacho scoring four times.

The Nigerian side had since then gone on to crush all opponents, the only blemish on their record being the 3-3 Group F draw with Sweden on October 22.

They have even redeemed that, whipping the Swedes 3-0 on Tuesday to reach Friday’s final match.

In building up that awesome reputation, the Eaglets have scored 23 goals and conceded five while winning five and drawing one in six games.

As a result of this, the Nigerian team have the best record at this competition and have remained unbeaten so far.

This side led by coach Manu Garba have so far intimidated the rest of the world with the striking skills of Iheanacho, Taiwo Awoniyi and Success Isaac. They are backed up by midfielders Alfa Abdullahi, Musa Yahaya, Chidiebere Nwakali and Chiderah Ezeh.

But this is also why they have a lot to lose – they have intimidating credentials and have raised the expectations of their compatriots both back home and on the terraces.

Contrastingly, defending champions Mexico who will be appearing as the underdogs have nothing to lose in this game.

Having lost heavily to Nigeria before, and having it in history that no defending champion has ever successfully retained the trophy, there is enough for Mexico to hold on to.