Fifa Under-17 World Cup 2015 final: Nigeria vs Mali Today

Nigeria saw off Mexico in the FIFA U-17 World Cup Semi Final to make second successive trip to the final.

It will also be a second all-Africa final at the Fifa Under-17 World Cup after Nigeria edged out Ghana 1-0 in the final of the 1993 edition in Japan where a Wilson Oruma header put the Starlets to the sword.

Four time champions Nigeria will look to make it a fifth trophy at under-17 level and also a record eight appearances in the final of the competition.

Mali, who are the African champions at this level will hope to make it their first Fifa Under-17 World Cup title in their history.

Snippets:

* Last time an all-African final took place was 22 years ago at Japan 1993. Nigeria beat Ghana to win the trophy

* Nigeria's total goal tally at Chile 2015 is 21 goals leading to the final while Mali have scored 12 goals.

*Top scorer for the Nigeria side is Victor Osimhen with nine goals while Sidiki Maiga leads Mali’s goalscorers with three goals.

*Nigeria has appeared in eight finals of the Fifa Under-17 World Cup while Mali will be making their first ever appearance in the final in only their fourth Fifa Under-17 World Cup.

*The Golden Eaglets have attempted 199 shots at goal and scored 21 goals as against Mali's 132 attempts at goal with 12 goals to boot.

Match background:

Nigeria (below) started the competition with a bang, winning their first two games but then lost to Croatia in the last group game. Despite that loss, the Eaglets topped Group A and were pitted against the Young Joeys of Australia whom they walloped 6-0 in the Round of 16.

Brazil fell 3-0 in the quarter-finals before the entertaining 4-2 win over Mexico set up the clash with Mali’s Les Aiglonettes on Sunday.

Mali started the tournament with a goalless draw against Belgium but followed it up with wins against Ecuador and Honduras to pick a ticket to the Round of 16.

Les Aiglonettes beat Korea DPR 3-0 in that round before edging out Croatia 1-0 in the last eight to set up a rematch with Belgium.

Mali came from a goal down to beat Belgium 3-1 with goals from Boubacar Traore, Sidiki Maiga and Sekou Koita to book a date with reigning champions Nigeria.

Players to watch:

Mali: Aly Malle is the main man in attack for Mali despite Sidiki Maiga scoring a goal more than the 16-year-old attacker

He makes most of the plays for his team and alongside skipper Abdoul Dante, they are the leaders of this Mali side (below) looking to make history.

Nigeria: Samuel Chukwueze has been performing admirably well under the radar as Victor Osimhen kept getting all the plaudits.

The midfielder, who loves to play through the channels, has provided seven assists thus far and scored twice to cement his place as one of starters for Emmanuel Amuneke.

Victor Osimhen will be the man Amuneke will look to for the goals to win Sunday’s game against Mali.

The tall striker has scored in all the matches the Eaglets have played at the tournament, amassing a record-equalling nine goals.

Group stage

Nigeria:

United States 0 Nigeria 2

Nigeria 5 Chile 1

Nigeria 1 Croatia 2

Second round

Nigeria 6 Australia 0

Quarter-final

Brazil 0 Nigeria 3

Semi-final

Nigeria 4 Mexico 2

Mali

Group stage

Belgium 0 Mali 0

Ecuador 1 Mali 2

Mali 3 Honduras 0

Round of 16

Mali 3 Korea DPR 0

Quarter-final

Croatia 0 Mali 1

Semi-final

Mali 3 Belgium 1

What they said:

“For the final, I do not care if it’s Mexico or Nigeria. I just want to face a team that we can beat. - Baye Ba, Mali coach

"It was a difficult match in which both teams did their best. We are happy to be in the final and have the chance to defend the world title. Mali is a good team, Africa's champion. This is going to be an interesting challenge." - Emmanuel Amuneke, Nigeria coach.