TheCable

After 52 matches in three weeks from 24 teams from six confederations, an African side will definitely lift the FIFA U-17 World Cup.

Nigeria meet Mali in the second all-African final at U-17 finals since Japan 1993 when Nigeria and Ghana slugged it out.

TheCable brings you the “commentary” live from Japan!

Welcome to the Tokyo National Stadium venue of the 5th FIFA U-17 World Cup final between Nigeria and their West African neighbour Ghana.

Nigeria won the maiden edition in China in 1985 but Ghana are the defending champions after beating Spain in the final held in Italy two years ago.

The two teams have just finished exchanging pleasantries and the match is about to commence.

But let me quickly remind you that the game is for 80 minutes and if there’s no winner in the regular time, 20 minutes of extra will be played. If it’s still a stalemate, the winner will be decided through penalty shootout.

May the better side emerge victorious.

FIRST-HALF

1st: Ghana kick-off the game but they quickly lose the ball to the Nigerians.

2nd: Nigeria talisman, Nwankwo Kanu sets out on a solo run. The Ghana defence retreat to cover their rear and concede a kick-in in the process.

3rd: Celestine Babayaro is about to take the kick-in on the left-side of the pitch. His kick is causing a stir in the penalty box after Peter Anosike puts his leg onto it. Wilson Oruma dives in with a header amidst many legs aiming to clear the ball to safety. His head connects with the ball…Gooooooooooooooal! The captain has put his side 1-0 up.

The goal has woken up the Nigerian fans and their shouts for more goals rent the air. The atmosphere inside the stadium is quite electrifying.

Let’s go back to the game before we get carried away.

8th: Ghana win a corner kick. Oh, what a fine clearance from a Nigerian defender.

9th: A Ghanaian is down on the turf and writhing in pain. It’s Daniel Armah. He’s stretchered out immediately.

11th: Pascal Ojigwe takes a long range shot. It goes wide. That’s a wasteful effort from the midfielder. He needs to do better if he hopes to score his first goal in the tournament.

14th: Oh, what a nice one-two combination by Oruma and Kanu. The Ghanaians are alert to the move, though. It’s now obvious that Armah cannot continue the game. Kenneth Sarpong comes in to replace him.

16th: Substitute Sarpong takes on the Nigerian defence. He races down the right-flank but loses control of the ball which goes into touch.

18th: Ghana are mounting pressure on the Nigerian defence. Emmanuel Okhenoboh is beaten; will this be an equaliser? Oh, the ball narrowly goes out for a corner. Nigeria clear the ball from the resulting corner kick.

20th: More scare for the Nigerians as Ghana star man Daniel Addo goes on rampage. He strokes the ball to an unmarked Emmanuel Duah. Okhenoboh comes off his line but Duah takes a grounder which beats the keeper. The ball hits the post and bounces back into the field. Babayaro is on hand to clear the ball for a corner before Sarpong could reach it.

It’s a dilly-dally affair so far with both sides fully into the game now.

24th: Sambo Choji is down injured. He’s taken out on a stretcher and Festus Okougha replaces him. Kanu has been hacked down in the box. The Nigerians scream for penalty, but the Argentine referee, Javier Alberto Castrilli, waves play on.

27th: Oh, what a confusing sight. Oruma and Anosike get in each other’s way as they go for Kanu’s killer-pass at the edge of the penalty box. An opportunity for a second goal goes begging.

The Nigerian fans continue to sing and dance urging their team on. However, the Ghanaians are not relenting as well. What a marvellous sight in this magnificent stadium.

37th: Kanu’s influence on the game is increasing by the minute. What a nice pass to Anosike. The striker fires a shot which yields nothing. Anosike is not himself today. This is quite unlike him. He’s looking heavy. Did he eat Eba and Egusi before the match?

38th: Anosike gets into shooting range again with a pass from Oruma. His shot hits the target, this time, but the keeper is alert to the danger.

39th: Ghana make a last ditch effort to equalise before half-time. It’s three-on-three but Nigeria’s keeper foils their effort.

40th: The referee blows his whistle for the end of the first-half.

It has been quite an interesting 40 minutes with the two Africans putting in a brave fight. But half-time score remains Nigeria 1, Ghana 0.

SECOND-HALF    

41st: Nigeria kick-off the second-half and immediately go on the offensive. Anosike makes a pull-out into the opponent’s box. Kanu is about to pounce, but the keeper beats him to the ball.

It’s not a surprise to see that the Japanese here are rooting for Nigeria. Everybody loves the winner, right? Well, likely winners. Fingers crossed!

44th: Ghana earn a kick-in. It’s a dangerous looking one as it creates pandemonium in the Eaglets’ box. Will the Ghanaians level the score now? A Nigerian defender finally hooks the ball to safety.

The game is getting really really tense now and some fans can barely watch. Some have even left their seats for the restroom!

Back to the pitch!

50th: Festus Odini tries to waltz his way through but he’s sandwiched by two Ghanaian defenders. He goes down. Odini leaves the pitch for treatment but returns two minutes later.

Nigeria are less than 30 minutes to glory. Their numerous fans are aware of this as they pop up the volume of their songs.

60th: Michael Edusei is with the ball. He fires a shot 25 metres out. Wow, it misses the post narrowly. That was a close shave for the Nigerians.

It seems the Golden Eaglets are holding on for a slim win. They are playing it cool and looking to pounce on the counter.

69th: What’s the Ghana keeper thinking? He just passed the ball to an opponent! Abiodun Ogbebor controls it once. But he’s dwelling too much on the ball. The Ghanaian defence recover to block his delayed shot.

Nigeria are now 10 minutes to winning their second title after eight years. A long wait you might say but it’s worth it.

74th: Nigeria are on the attack. Anosike takes the ball off the feet of Osei Kuffour; he dribbles goalkeeper Ali Jarra. Is this goal number two? It is a Goooooooooooooooooooooooooooooal! Anosike has won the cup for Nigeria. Goal number twooooooooooooooooo!

The Ghanaians on the pitch and stand look to have succumbed to defeat. In a matter of time now the referee will blow the final whistle.

But it seems there’s still one more action left.

82nd: Oh, it’s now 2-1. Joseph Fameye heads the ball in for a late consolatory strike.

The referee finally blows his whistle. It’s 2-1 for Nigeria.

Champions Golden Eaglets!

Congrats, Nigeria!

Adopted (but polished to taste) from Complete Football, September 1993 edition.