National Teams
WAFU-B U-20 Championship: Aliyu Zubairu eyes Africa Cup of Nations ticket in Togo
By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde
Head coach of Nigeria’s U-20 national team, Aliyu Zubairu, has outlined his primary goal for the upcoming 2024 WAFU-B Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Qualifiers—to reach the final and secure qualification for the U-20 AFCON.
Zubairu, who recently guided El-Kanemi Warriors to the 2024 President Federation Cup title and the CAF Confederation Cup, is focused on ensuring the Flying Eagles advance to the final of the WAFU-B qualifiers. Achieving this milestone will guarantee their spot in the next U-20 AFCON.
“Before setting any other targets, our priority is to first secure our qualification for the tournament,” Zubairu told NFF TV in Ikenne.
“Once we achieve that, we will then turn our attention to winning the tournament, but qualifying for the Nations Cup is our main objective.”
Nigeria has been drawn in Group B of the qualifiers, where they will face Burkina Faso and Côte d’Ivoire.
Zubairu added that his team has done thorough research on their group opponents: “We know our opponents—Burkina Faso and Côte d’Ivoire—well.
“We’ve gathered information on their playing styles and have analyzed their recent matches both in Africa and internationally, which will help us prepare effectively.”
The Flying Eagles are currently in the final stages of their preparation at Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, Ogun State. In their first friendly since arriving in Ikenne, they secured a comfortable 4-1 victory over Seamoriow FC.
With preparations ramping up, Zubairu is focused on ensuring his team is ready to make a strong push for the qualifiers and aim for success.
