Nigeria’s Solanke wins Golden Ball as England lift U-20 World Cup

The great Nigerian-born Dominic Solanke received the Golden Ball award after England secured a 1-0 victory over Venezuela in the final of the just-ended Under-20 FIFA World Cup in South Korea.

The 19-year old was considered the most impressive player at the tournament and now follows in a long line of great players like Javier Saviola (2001), Lionel Messi (2005), Sergio Aguero (2007) and Paul Pogba (2013) to lift the prize.

Four players with Nigerian blood Fikori Tomori, Dominic Solanke, Ademola Lookman and Josh Onomah were all among the starting XI in the final, as two others, Ovie Ejaria and Seyi Ojo, started from the bench.

The only goal of the game was scored in the 35th minute by Dominic Calvert-Lewin to make England champions for the first time since 1966.

Solanke, who was one goal away from also winning the Golden Shoe, is a Chelsea academy graduate and is set to join Premier League side Liverpool imminently.

Italy’s Riccardo Orsolini claimed the Golden Shoe award after scoring five goals in the tournament before losing to England in the semi-final.