U20 AFCON: Aliyu Zubairu urges “support” ahead of Nigeria opener vs Tunisia

By Dayo Awoniyi

As Nigeria’s Flying Eagles gear up to face Tunisia in their opening match of the 2025 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), Head Coach Aliyu Zubairu has issued a heartfelt appeal to Nigerians for unity, prayers, and unwavering support.

The Group B encounter will kick off on Thursday, May 1, at 4 p.m. Nigerian time at the 30 June Stadium in Cairo.

Speaking at a pre-match press conference, Zubairu expressed full confidence in his squad’s readiness following an intensive build-up campaign.

“We are very much prepared,” he said. “From Abuja to Katsina, back to Abuja, and now Egypt—this team has worked hard, and the boys are ready.”

Zubairu acknowledged the immense expectations from passionate Nigerian fans, urging them to back the team with both moral and spiritual support.

“We know how important football is to Nigerians. They drop everything to support the team. We don’t want to disappoint them, but their prayers are key. We need their support and prayers for us to succeed.”

The coach dismissed any suggestions of pressure ahead of the match, instead framing the challenge as a motivation.

“There’s no pressure—only motivation. We beat Tunisia 4-0 the last time we met, but this is a new game, and we must earn it again,” he stated.

While hopeful of a strong start, Zubairu emphasized that the team’s main goal remains qualification for the FIFA U-20 World Cup.

“We want to win the trophy, of course, but the first target is reaching the semi-finals to secure the World Cup ticket. Once we get there, we can talk about going all the way.”

The Flying Eagles enter the tournament with a proud pedigree and will look to reaffirm their continental dominance with a positive result against Tunisia.