Mikel Absent destabilised us -Swaziland Coach

Swaziland coach Bulunga has admitted that playing Sunshine Stars midfielder Paul Onobi instead of Mikel, gave Nigeria a edge.

          

“We saw weaknesses in the Nigeria team in the first leg unfortunately, the coach made changes and there was nothing we could do about it,” said Bulunga.

“(Oliseh) was smart enough to make some chances (and this affected what) we hoped to capitalise.

“For example, the midfield was very slow in the first leg so we wanted to capitalise on that but he changed (his tactics) and put in (Paul Onobi instead of Mikel Obi in that position) and it affected our whole set up.

“(Onobi) was aggressive, he was quick…also the left and right backs were new players that we didn’t expect to play.”

Nigeria won the match by 2:0 after they played goalless draw in Swaziland, Sunday Oliseh and his boys celebrated their first win under the new gaffer after drawing their first two qualifying matches.

Super Eagles have now qualified into the next round of the 2018 FIFA World Cup which is stated to take place in Russia.   

Osimhen set record as Eaglet retain the FIFA U-17 World Cup

The Nigerian Golden Eaglets became only the second side to retain the FIFA U-17 World Cup with a 2-0 win against Mali in Vina Del Mar. Nigeria won in 1985, 1993, 2007, 2013, and now in 2015 in Chile and has set a record of the first country to win the competition for the five times.

       

The Nigerian team won the maiden edition of FIFA U-17 World Cup in 1985 in China, the fifth edition of the tournament in 1993 in Japan, the twelfth edition of the tournament in 2007 in South Korea,the fifteenth held in the United Arab Emirates 2013 and again the sixteenth in Chile 2015.

Victor Osimhen stole the show once again thanks to his record-breaking tenth goal of the tournament, with Funsho Bamgboye adding a second moments later. Samuel Diarra had saved an early Osinachi Ebere penalty as the Malians played their part in an entertaining finale to Chile 2015.

The penalty came as both sides were just finding their rhythm in the opening exchanges, Chato the culprit with a handball. Ebere saw his low effort saved brilliantly by Diarra, the No17’s follow up header hit the bar before a third bite of the cherry was blocked by the Malian defence.

Both sides had chances in a tense opening period, with Golden Eaglets skipper Kelechi Nwakali hitting just wide and Boubacar Traore seeing his glancing header tipped over by Akpan Udoh.

The second half saw the game burst into life, with Emmanuel Amuneke’s words clearly working their magic on the Nigerian youngsters. 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. Good approach play by substitute Chinedu Madueke saw him tee up Osimhen for his record-breaking goal, seeing him surpass the nine goals scored by Florent Sinama Pongolle in 2001 and Souleymane Coulibaly ten years later.

The holders doubled their advantage mere minutes later, with Bamgboye bursting down the Nigerian left before smashing a powerful effort at goal, Diarra standing little chance.

Despite a couple of late chances for Mali, from corner kicks, Nigeria retained possession for large spells and saw the game out to retain their crown. The jubilant scenes on the final whistle in Vina Del Mar will surely live long in the memories of these Nigerian heroes of the present, some of whom may just become the stars of the future.