Nigeria Prove too Strong for Mexico, makes a record 8th Final Appearance

Ever since the Final Draw for Chile 2015 mapped out the route to glory, Mexico and Nigeria have been well aware that they might meet in the last four.  With exception of a defeat by a talented Croatian side in their final Group A match, after qualification had already been achieved, the Africans have exhibited sensational form.


In a match with full adrenaline, with both teams coming out to play for a spot to play Mali in the final, it took El Tri just 7 minutes to get the ball rolling.  Magana slotting home a pass from Aguirre.

Everything the Eaglets had worked for seem slipping away as they threw away tones of chances.  El Tri kept brimming with confidence as minutes ticked away.

For Nigeria to play Mali who had earlier dispatched Belgium 3-1 coming from behind, they knew they needed to also come from behind.

Hard-work would pay-off as Nigeria got the equaliser in the 35th minute through captain, Kelechi Nwakali.

Parity was restored, the fans euphoric but in a game like this semi-final match, the winner takes it all.  8 minutes after Nwakali's leveller, Okwonkwo turned it around completely after burying a cross
from Enogela.

The first half ended 2-1 in favour of the Nigerians but the Mexicans still had questions to ask of the Nigerian defence.

Fourteen minutes into the second half, Cortes finished off a dummy pass from Esquivel to make it 2-2.

Nwakali was involved again as he set up Ebere to put Nigeria back in front.  A barrage of chances went away after that as Nigeria looked to get the killer goal.

The chance came in the 82nd minute when Nigeria was awarded a penalty kick, neatly converted by star striker, Victor Osimhen.   It was his 9th of the tournament and a record-leveller.

Ecstasy for the Nigerians in Concepcion as that goal killed any chance the Mexicans had of equalising.

An all-African final was on the cards, the first since Nigeria defeated Ghana 2-1 in 1993 in Japan.

Nigeria were in their 8th final, a feat only the Golden Eaglets have achieved.

Will Nigeria be the first Nation to win it back-to-back?  Will Nigeria win it for the first time outside Asia?

Every question will be answered on Sunday evening in Vina del Mar.


KAYODE, Opeyemi Ezekiel.
WRITER