Debutant Switzerland was crowned Under-17 World Cup champion here Sunday when it defeated host and defending champion Nigeria 1-0 at a packed Abuja National Stadium. Haris Seferovic gave Switzerland the title courtesy of a 63rd minute header. The Swiss were impressive leading to this championship game, and did well to contain the Golden Eaglets of Nigeria, before they dealt the killer blow through Seferovic to the disappointment of the 60,000-strong crowd. Nigeria is overwhelming favorites to win its fourth Under-17 World Cup, particularly on the back of the full international team's dramatic qualification for next year's World Cup in South Africa 24 hours earlier. Spain tookj third place when it defeated Colombia 1-0. Isco scored the winner in the 75th minute after Spain struggled to translate its dominance into goals. Nigerian striker Sani Emmanuel was picked as the Most Valuable Player of the tournament. He scored five goals, all as a substitute. Ghana draws with Mali Matthew Amoah and Anthony Annan scored a goal each as Ghana twice rallied from a goal down to draw 2-2 with Mali in a World Cup qualifier at Accra, Ghana, Sunday. Ghana had already sealed its place at next year's World Cup in South Africa after winning its opening four group games, but still fielded a full strength team in Accra. Lassana Fane gave Mali the lead in the 24th minute, and substitute Tenema Ndiaye put Mali 2-1 ahead in the 69th shortly after Amoah had equalized. Annan made it 2-2 in the 84th minute. Ghana won Group D with 13 points, Mali finished third with nine points and joins second-place Benin at the African Cup of Nations. UAE beats Czechs The United Arab Emirates beat the Czech Republic 3-2 on penalties Sunday to reach the final of the United Arab Emirates International Cup, a four-team friendly tournament in Al-Alain. With the game having finished 0-0, UAE goalkeeper Majed Naser made two saves after David Rozenhal sent the first spot-kick wide. The UAE will now meet Iraq, which beat Azerbaijan 1-0 earlier Sunday, in the final Wednesday. The Czech Republic and Azerbaijan will now go into the playoff for third spot, also Wednesday. Bassim Abbas scored two minutes from time for Iraq to beat Azerbaijan 1-0. Abbas fired a powerful shot from 25 yards that slipped out of goalkeeper Kamran Aghayev's hands. Iraq came close to taking the lead earlier but substitute Emad Mohammed Redha's weak shot was pushed out by Aghayev in the 65th minute. Iraq struggled to break the tight Azerbaijan defense until the fumble from Aghayev. Azerbaijan started well but failed to create many scoring opportunities.
