He was considered the weakest link in the Golden Eaglets chain. He could not deal with crosses and the match against Sweden exposed him a great deal. Others forgave him.

Afterall he had four defenders players like Musa Mohammed and Okon who preferred to go scoring than defend their back line.

Dele Alampasu of Nigeria recieves the Golden Glove awards from FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter during the FIFA U-17 World Cup UAE 2013 Final between Nigeria and Mexico at the Mohamed Bin Zayed Stadium on November 8, 2013 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (FIFA)

The coaches kept faith with him and he delivered, conceding just five goals in seven matches including two blank sheets. His greatest display however was in the final, when twice he kept his team in the game with two breath taking saves, especially the 8th minute flip over the bar from an Ochoa strike.

He repeated the feat in the 31st minute when a powerful header by Aines from point blank range was parried over. Thereafter, in the 35th, 38th, 47th, 62nd and 67th minutes he could not be faulted as he punched, cleared, kicked and caught Mexican goal bound moves.

His confidence was manifested in the 79th minute when he taunted a Mexican striker with a “come and get the ball “ theatrics. No wonder FIFA Technical Study Group adjudged him the Golden Gloves of the tournament.