Sensational Nigeria rounded off their Group F campaign
with a 5-0 hammering of Iraq, a result which is good
enough to see them finish top of the section as they get
set for the Round of 16 at the FIFA U-17 World Cup in
UAE.
Four goals in the first half set the tempo for the contest
which was never really going to end well for the Iraqis,
who now head for home after three straight losses.
Mexico and Sweden also go through from the section as
second and third-place finishers respectively. Nigeria
hadn’t lost a group-stage game at a U-17 World Cup
since way back in 1993, and they weren’t in the mood to
start today.
Chidiebere Nwakali hit the woodwork after only two
minutes, and it was a hint of things to come as the
Africans roared into incredible form. Seconds later, they
were into the lead when Musa Yahaya was fouled in the
area and Musa Muhammed converted form the spot.
The scorer turned provider a minute later, his cross
picking out Nwakali who had loads of time and acres of
space to put the ball away from close range. The Iraqis
were stunned, but they managed a shot in the 13th
minute. Captain Mohammed Salam’s free-kick was saved
well by Dele Alampasu. The effort was a false dawn,
however, and Nigeria were 3-0 up five minutes later.
Kelechi Iheanacho, the Golden Eaglets’ danger-man, laid
on a fine pass for Taiwo Awoniyi, but it broke loose and
fell to the feet of Musa Yahaya, who made no mistake.
Iraq’s coach Muwafaq Adlool, knowing his side needed a
win, made a change, bringing on Yasir Ammar for Mustafa
Mohammed. The substitution sparked a positive spell for
his side, but the next goal came at the other end with the
Nigerians in irresistible mood. Yahaya took advantage of a
rather grand error by the Iraq keeper Hayder Mohammed,
and poked home with ease from six yards out just before
the half.
There wasn’t much action in the second half,
with the Nigerians taking their foot off the accelerator and
Iraq looking defeated and out of ideas. On the stroke of
full-time, however, Nigeria scored a fifth when substitute
Chigozi Obasi hit home from 20 yards to take the
Africans’ goals-for tally in the group stages to 14, one
less than Brazil. Group F has proven one of the strongest
here at the UAE finals and it’s only just that three of its
combatants – three-time champions Nigeria, Sweden and
defending champions Mexico – should go through. Iraq,
playing in their first junior finals, can hold their heads high
as they head for home.
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