Mexico tough, Mali will be tougher –Amuneke

In from Nifemi Daniel . . .
Golden Eaglets coach, Emmanuel Amuneke, has declared that Mali will be a tough nut to crack during the final of the FIFA U-17 World Cup Chile 2015 billed for Sunday while praising the Mexican team for giving his players a tough game in the semifinal played on Thursday.

Nigeria booked a place in the final for an astonishing eighth time in 11 attempts after being tested to the limit by an entertaining Mexico team, and in the process both sides produced what is likely to be regarded as the game of the tournament to date.

Indeed, the clash had just about everything, including tit-for-tat scoring, six goals, three of which had fans leaping off their seats, and intense emotions until the very last kick of the ball.

“It was a difficult match in which both teams did their best. We give credit to Mexico because of their performance and its level of play. We are happy to be in the final and have the chance to defend the world title,” Amuneke added.

Read also: U-17 World Cup: It’s Nigeria, Mali final

For Mario Arteaga, Mexico coach, “We know that it would be a tough game, the toughest game in this World Cup. Both teams had chances. Unfortunately we didn’t score, Nigeria did. This was the difference. But that is football.

“After our equaliser we thought we controlled the game but then Nigeria scored surprisingly. We wanted to reach the final but we failed. Of course the team is sad but we have to focus now on the third place match,” he added.

Meanwhile, in just their fourth appearance at this level, Les Aiglonnets have achieved a feat that no other Malian national side at any age category has ever managed: progressing to the showpiece match of a FIFA-run tournament.

Speaking ahead of the final, Amuneke added that: “Mali is a good team, Africa’s champion. This is going to be an interesting challenge.”

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