The U20 World Cup has concluded in New Zealand with little fancied Serbia walking away with the title after they beat Brazi 2 – 1 in a dramatic final.
Serbia, playing in the FIFA U-20 World Cup for the first time as an independent nation saw Nemanja Maksimovic’s decisive, 118th-minute goal settle the final leaving five-time champions Brazil to settle for silver.
Mali will also return home with medals after edging an all-African third-place play-off with Senegal. That game’s final tallies of four goals and two saved penalties give an indication, but only that, of the excitement, drama and attacking football that both sides provided.
Mali’s hero, Adama Traore, also headed the list of award-winners, picking up the adidas Golden Ball award as the tournament’s best player.
Nigeria and Ghana were the other countries that represented Africa at the Junior tournament.
This is fantastic for football and shows the dynamism of the game. Congrats to Serbia – no one so it coming. And if the Serbia FA does it’s work well, then you will have another power emerging on the world stage in the next 4-5 years.
A good run also for both Senegal and Mali raising the bar for African football. Well done.
Zambia must learn to develop a well thought out youth system that should transcend the different office holders.
Zambia never learn, congrats to sebia
@Naked goal I agree with you, Zambia never learns anything
Mali was the best team at this tournament. They are blessed with talent!
Zambia should learn somthing 4rm serbia congrat 2 senega and mali they did africa proud
These West African are damn good at junior tournaments, the only problem is that they don’t fulfill their potential, congratulations to Serbia for defying all the odds and become world Champions .
The only difference is that this Serbia team will go all the way,as in the players will become household names for the next say ten years as in compared to what usually is the case with African teams.Look at that Ghana team which won in Eygpt,the only player I can recall from that team is that Ayew lad.
This is just a guess but if you look at the Mali team sheet you will probably find that this is the team that has been beating Zambia in the Airtel rising stars challenges. You can see the Mali progress but if you look at the Zambian team of the same generation; Patson Daka, Lubambo Musonda and Co, they can’t even qualify to the African junior championship