FIFA has written to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF)
admitting to its error in awarding the bronze boot for the third highest goal
scorer at the recently concluded FIFA Under-17 World Cup in Chile. Golden Eaglets skipper, Kelechi Nwakali was awarded the
bronze boot but now FIFA has cleared the air and revealed the award will now go
to midfielder, Samuel Chukwueze.
Chukwueze (535 minutes) and Nwakali (630 minutes) both
scored three goals and provided three assists at the end of the competition.
However, FIFA named Nwakali as the third highest goal scorer despite playing
more.
Via a letter to the NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed
Sanusi and signed by Mustapha Fahmy, Director of the Football Division, the
world body explained the issue:
"We made a mistake at the closing ceremony of the Fifa U-17 World Cup Chile 2015 with the distribution of the Adidas Bronze Boot.
"Instead of player no. 8 of Nigeria, Samuel Chukwueze, the player Kelechi Nwakali (player no. 10 of Nigeria) received the Adidas Bronze Boot. However, if two or more players are still equal (after goals and assists), the player who has played fewer number of minutes will be ranked first.
"With this in mind, Adidas will send you another Bronze Boot in December 2015, which we would kindly ask you to hand over to Samuel Chukwueze. Please be informed that Kelechi Nwakali may keep his trophy."
With data attached to the letter, FIFA revealed that Victor
Osimhen scored 10 goals and made two assists to win the golden boot, Johannes
Eggestein of Germany scored four goals to win the silver boot.
Nwakali, who was voted most valuable player of the
tournament and earned the golden ball, tied with compatriot Chukwueze for third
place with three goals and three assists.
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