Estadio SausalitoVina Del Mar (CHI) 08 Nov 2015
Three weeks ago, 24 teams from six confederations arrived in Chile to contest the FIFA U-17 World Cup 2015. Fifty-two matches later, the FIFA U-17 World Cup winner's trophy is guaranteed to be on its way to Africa, but it remains to be seen whether it will fly back to the continent in the hands of Mali or Nigeria. Prior to their game, Belgium and Mexico will seek to end their campaign on a high note by winning the bronze.
This is not the first time two African teams will be playing in the finals of the U17 World Cup; in 1993 Nigeria edged out Ghana to win the youth championship.
But we are guaranteed a show-piece tomorrow between clearly the two best teams in the championship; Nigeria - the team with the highest number of goals (21 goals) and Mali, the tournament's best attacking side (132 goal attempts).
While Mali are the African champions, they did not meet Nigeria in the African Championship and the Golden Eaglets will definitely be a keen test for the Malians who have not lost a match at the U17 level in two years. While Nigeria hold a clear lead in the head-to-head record between the two nations’ senior sides with four wins, three draws and just one defeat to their name, Mali have the edge when it comes to youth football. When hosting the FIFA U-20 World Cup in 1999, the Golden Eaglets were forced to throw in the towel in the quarter-finals as Les Aiglonnets beat them 3-1.
Players to watch: Victor Osimhen (9 goals) and Mali’s Sidiki Maiga (3 goals)
Nigeria's captain Kelechi Nwakali and Mali's captain Abdoul Dante are seen during a Twitter interview with FIFA.com users ahead of the FIFA U-17 World Cup Chile 2015 final in Viña del Mar, November 7, 2015
Whatever the case may be, we expect a very fast enthralling final match at the magnificent Estadio SausalitoVina Del Mar;
The Estadio SausalitoVina Del Mar
A familiar face will be at the centre of proceedings as EPL referee Michael Oliver and his compatriot assistant referees Stuart Burt and Gary Beswick will be joined by Costa Rican fourth official Ricardo Montero as the team of officials for the match.
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