U20 Afcon: Nigeria coach Zubairu reacts to fans’ disappointment after Kenya draw

By Dayo Awoniyi

Nigeria head coach Aliyu Zubairu has addressed the disappointment felt by Nigerian fans following his team’s 2-2 draw with Kenya in their final group-stage match at the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Egypt.

Despite securing qualification to the quarter-finals, the failure to secure a victory over the already-eliminated Rising Stars of Kenya has raised concerns among fans.

Many expected a commanding performance from the Nigerian side, but the result left a sense of unfulfilled potential among supporters.

In a post-match press conference, Zubairu acknowledged the frustration but highlighted the challenging nature of the game.

“It was not an easy match,” Zubairu said. “Kenya had lost their first two games and were determined not to leave the tournament without a win. That made the game very difficult for us. Still, it was a good contest.”

The Flying Eagles coach empathized with the fans’ sentiments, admitting that the result was not what many had hoped for, particularly given the context of Kenya’s earlier struggles in the tournament.

“I understand why many Nigerians might be disappointed, especially considering the opponent,” Zubairu continued.

“But the most important thing is that we’ve qualified for the quarter-finals, and that was our primary objective. We’ve achieved that, and now we must focus on the next challenge.”

The Flying Eagles’ qualification to the knockout stages is a significant achievement, but it remains to be seen how they will fare in the upcoming rounds as they aim for a strong finish in the competition.