FIFA U-17 how it went down

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The spotlight has been on Nigeria since last month as the country hosted the FIFA U-17 World Cup from 24th October to 15th November 2009.

There were a total of 24 teams from six confederations and play was across the eight host cities of Abuja, Lagos, Enugu, Ijebu-Ode, Kano, Calabar, Kaduna and Bauchi.

 

 

The finals on Sunday reveal the Swiss as the champions, with Nigeria as the runner up. While third and fourth place goes to Spain and Colombia respectively.

 

 

So although Nigeria's Golden Eaglets were not the winners of the 2009 FIFA Under-17 World Cup they certainly scooped up awards galore. Of the eight awards on offer, Nigeria won the FIFA Fair Play Award, and Nigerian player Sani Emmanuel got two awards - The Adidas Golden ball and Silver Shoe. Ramón Azeez received the Adidas Silver Shoe Award.

 

 

FIFA Vice President Jack Warner is quoted as saying over the weekend, "I'll be leaving Nigeria a happy man as Chairman of the Organising Committee of this championship. One lesson I have learnt in this competition is to keep the faith. Right from the first day that the Nigerian team were booed and fans even walked out on them to date, today they are in the finals. It is a big lesson to keep faith."

 

 

In addition, FIFA President, Sepp Blatter, also expressed satisfaction with the organisation of the FIFA U-17 World Cup 2009 in Nigeria despite the initial hiccups.

 

 

These commendations from the FIFA President and Vice President are indeed a welcome round up and endorsement to the Championship.