Watch Nigeria Vs. Mali Football Live Online: Start Time, Streaming Video Links For FIFA U-17 World Cup Final
Fans can watch the Nigeria vs. Mali football match live online and see which team takes the trophy in the all-Africa final of the FIFA U-17 World Cup.
The teams will now face off Sunday at 5 p.m. from Estadio Sausalito in Vina Del Mar, Chile.
Fans who watch the Mali vs. Nigeria match live online will see if the Mali team can continue its unlikely run. The team reached its first-ever FIFA U-17 World Cup final thanks to a gritty performance against Belgium, fighting back against an early deficit.
The opening goal for Belgium represented the first time in 300 minutes that Mali gave up a goal, but they responded quickly, FIFA.com noted, and seized the lead in the second half.
“The Malians struck back swiftly. Aly Malle matched Vancamp’s assist with a delicious cross of his own with the outside of his left foot. The ball missed everyone but Traore followed in, lashing home from inside the penalty area.
“The remainder of the first half saw the two sides exchange attacks, and it was clear for all to see that these teams knew each other inside out, after their meeting in their opening Group D fixture.
“There was an element of fortune to the goal that gave the Africans’ the advantage after the break. A long clearance pumped upfield by the Malian defence was misread by Teunckens, the bounce deceiving the Belgian ‘keeper. Maiga nipped in to nod home with the Club Brugge stopper stranded.”
Mali will now face defending champion Nigeria, which advanced to its eighth final with a win over Mexico.
Nigeria had to overcome a strong performance by El Tri, which held the initial lead before the Eaglets struck back in the second half.
Though Nigeria has been there plenty of times before, the excitement hasn’t lessened. After the semifinal win over Mexico, NFF President Amaju Pinnick said he is excited that the team is once again on the verge of a title. Nigeria already has four titles to go along with three second-place finishes.
“I’m very excited, not only with the result, but the way the boys came fighting back after that early goal by Mexico,” he said. “I keep saying that we have the potential to be world champions in several areas of endeavor”
Nigerian coach Emmanuel Amuneke said after the match he is also looking forward to the final against Mali.
“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,” he said (via FIFA.com). “We are happy to be in the final and have the chance to defend the world title. Mali is a good team, Africa’s champion. This is going to be an interesting challenge.”
While Nigeria is the superior team at the senior level — with four victories and three draws and just one defeat against Mali — the Mali team has been better in youth football. The two sides met in the FIFA U-20 World Cup in 1999, with Mali defeating Nigeria by a sore of 3-1.
There will be plenty to watch in this year’s FIFA U-17 World Cup final, including the play of Mali’s Sekou Koita, who despite being the youngest player on either team in the semifinal made one of the most important plays, finishing strong on a goal that sealed the victory. Those watching will also get to see a preview of some of the players who will be anchoring their teams’ FIFA senior World Cup teams in the future.
Fans who want to watch the Nigeria vs. Mali football game live online can click here for streaming video of the FIFA U-17 World Cup final.
[Image via Instagram/FIFA]