All-African affair as Eaglets clash with junior eagles at U17 World Cup final
Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets also featured in the first all-African final in 1993 when they Oruma led and Kanu Nwankwo influenced Eaglets defeated Ghana in the championship game in Japan.
Nigeria striker Victor Osimhen also equaled the all-time goals record in the competition when he netted his ninth goal of the tournament from the penalty spot.
The Golden Eaglets also beat the baby El Tri twice at the last tournament in UAE two years ago – winning a group game 6-1 before they stopped them 3-0 in the final.
Mexico deservedly led 1-0 through Kevin Magana's strike after a good work from the right wing by Lara, who beat Udochukwu Anamudu.
Golden Eaglets captain Kelechi Nwakali leveled scores for Nigeria with a superbly taken 25-yard free kick in the 35th minute.
Nigeria then took the lead for the first time in the game in the 43rd with a 20-yard cracker from Orji Okonkwo, who released a rocket shot after he cut in from the left wing.
However, Mexico made it 2-2 through a magical solo goal by Diego Cortes.
Oshinachi Ebere got on the scoreboard in the 67th minute, when his low shot from inside the box was helped home by the Mexico shot stopper.
Osimhen then tucked away a penalty kick in the 83rd minute after John Lazarus was upended inside the box. In the 72nd minute, Samuel Chukwueze crashed his effort against the post after he turned away from his marker and minutes later, Nwakali free kick was barely pushed away by the goalkeeper, before Osimhen was denied in the 77th minute from six yards out.
Golden Eaglets Starting XI : Udoh, Lazarus, Zakari, Enogela, Okonkwo ,Anumudu, Chukwueze, Nwakali, Ebere, Osimhen and Ikwu
Mexico Starting XI : Romero; Cortes, Esquivel, Venegas, Cervantes, K. Lara, Lopez, Aguirre, Zamudio, Magana, E. Lara
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