How Switzerland beats Nigeria to claim first FIFA trophy – The Guardian
November 16, 2009 by Bunmi Awolusi
It was a sad end to a glorious campaign for the Golden Eaglets of Nigeria as they lost 0-1 to the Swiss national team in the final of the FIFA Under-17 World Cup at the Abuja Stadium yesterday.
The Eaglets were the favourites but could not convert to goal the numerous chances that came their way in the pulsating encounter. Nigerians did all they could but failed to find the net. Switzerland put up a steely defensive performance to lift the trophy, the first by any Swiss team.
The Swiss were not given any chance by the bookies in the run-up to the tournament but their first round performance in which they defeated Brazil, Mexico and South Korea in Lagos quickly gave them the favourite status.
And when Haris Seferovic scored from a beautiful header in the second half and with the Nigerian team still contented with throwing away their scoring chances, it was clear that the Swiss were going to run away with the victory.
