National Teams
U20 WAFU-B Cup: Aliyu Zubairu reflects on Flying Eagles’ run after Cote d’Ivoire win
By Saheed Afolabi
Nigeria U20 head coach Aliyu Zubairu has addressed the reasons behind the Flying Eagles’ disappointing performance in their opening match at the WAFU B U20 Cup.
The Nigerian team faced a setback in their first game, losing 1-0 to Burkina Faso, which put their title defense at risk.
However, they rebounded with a 2-1 victory against Ivory Coast in their second group match, securing a spot in the semifinals.
Zubairu noted that the players were overwhelmed in their initial outing, which significantly impacted their performance, expressing confidence that a rejuvenated team will take the field in the semifinals, determined to defend their title and secure qualification for the U20 AFCON.
“The boys were jittery in the first game, which is common in opening matches. However, today you could see a much-improved team,” Zubairu said at the post-match press conference.
“In the semifinals, you will witness an even better Nigerian team. We cannot afford to compromise our chances, as qualifying for the U20 AFCON is our priority.”
