NEWS

08-07-2009

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Subject : FIFA U-17 World Cup: Africa ranks high
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Africa has emerged a dominant force in the global juvenile championship, FIFA U-17 World Cup since its inception in 1985.

Held biennially, African teams have emerged victorious on five occasions, courtesy Nigeria – thrice and Ghana twice and four times as runners-up. Since Nigeria won the maiden edition of the tournament in China in 1985, African teams have dominated the headlines at almost every edition.

The tournament has served a positive platform for which many of the best African footballers cut their teeth unto the world Stage. African players have proven to be amongst the most sought after as football scouts who throng such competitions always scramble for their signatures.

Of all the FIFA organised competitions, it is the only one that has given African teams the opportunity to flex muscles with their counterparts from other Confederations for honours.

Interestingly, Africa’s feat at the biennial championship is shared among the two West African giants, Ghana and Nigeria. The two countries have proudly and consistently carried high the flag of Africa at the global championship and it is by no wonder that they met in the finals of 1993 edition, the only final involving two teams from the same confederation.

Nigeria by far remains the continent’s most successful campaigner at the tournament with three titles to boast of – 1985, 1993 and 2007. The Golden Eaglets, who have participated in eight of the 12 editions so far, have also claimed the runners-up position twice in 1987 and 2001.

Ghana’s Black Starlets have also claimed the ultimate twice – 1991 and 1995; and the runners-up in 1993 and 1997. With eight appearances to boast of just like their West African rivals, they claimed bronze in 1999 and placed fourth in 2007.

The Young Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire were bronze winners in 1987 just as Burkina Faso in 2001 whilst Guinea placed fourth during the maiden edition in 1985.

But for the 1989, 2003 and 2005 editions, Africa has had a representation at the last four.

Other teams to have represented the continent at the juvenile championship include Guinea (1985, 1989 and 1995), Mali (1997, 1999 and 2001), Congo (1985 and 1991), Cote d’Ivoire (1987 and 2005), Egypt (1987 and 1997), Tunisia (1993 and 2007), Sudan (1991), , Gambia (2005), Togo (2007), Sierra Leone (2003) and Cameroon (2003).

Not only were African sides the dominant in team awards, but also in the individual awards. In 1987, Ivorian Moussa Traore won the Golden Ball (top scorer prize) with Nigeria’s Phillip Osundu was voted the Most Valuable Player.

Two years later, Fode Camara of Guinea claimed the top scorer and in 1991, Ghana’s Nii Odartey Lamptey was the Golden Ball winner. Wilson Oruma of Nigeria snatched the Golden Shoe whilst Daniel Addo went away with the Golden Ball in the 1993 edition.

Ten years ago in New Zealand, Ghana striker Ishmael Addo won the top scorer award just as Chrisantus MaCauley of Nigeria in 2007.

At almost every edition, an African is listed among the rising stars of the tournament. The likes of
Joseph Babatunde, Phillip Osundo, Victor Ikpeba , Godwin Okpara, Nwankwo Kanu, Wilson Oruma, Ibrahim Babangida and Femi Opabunmi all of Nigeria are listed.

Ghana can also boast of the likes of Nii Odartey Lamptey, Emmanuel Duah, Iddrisu Abu, Emmanuel Bentil, Owusu Afriyie and Ishmael Addo.

This year, it is by no coincidence that Nigeria, Africa’s best performer is hosting the event. This is the second time the competition is being staged in Africa after Egypt in 1997.

The continent’s other representatives for the October 24 to November 15 Championship are Gambia, Algeria, Burkina Faso and Malawi.