U20 AFCON: Flying Eagles coach Zubairu establishes the World Cup qualification as a goal

Flying Eagles chief coach Aliyu Zubairu has made it clear that the main objective of his team in the Africa U-20 2025 Cup in Egypt is to ensure the qualification for the FIFA U-20 World Cup.

The four semifinalists of the tournament will automatically reserve their place in the U-20 2025 World Cup in Chile, which makes each game in the stage of groups and rounded rounds criticism.

Nigeria, who raised the continental title for the last time in 2015, is among the favorites once again, thanks to his rich Pedigrí and his strong performances in recent competitions.

However, Zubairu maintains based on expectations and chooses to focus on step -by -step progress.

“We wouldn’t want to press children too much to win the trophy,” Zubairu told NFF TV.

“The first objective is now to obtain the ticket to the World Cup. When we reach the semifinal stage, we will sit again and talk about winning the title, but our first goal is the World Cup ticket.”

The Flying Eagles open their campaign against Tunisia on Thursday at the June 30 stadium at Cairo. The chief coach expressed his confidence in the preparation of the team, emphasizing his extensive preparation in multiple locations in Nigeria before settling in Egypt.

“We are very prepared, if you look at the trip, we begin to prepare to Kastina, then Kastina back to Abuja. Now, we are in Egypt waiting for the first game against Tunisia. The children are ready,” Zubairu said.

Historically, Nigeria and Tunisia have gathered five times at this level. The Flying Eagles keep the edge with three victories, while Tunisia has achieved only one victory and a draw.

Nigeria hit Tunisia 4-0 in the game in third place in the 2023 edition, but Zubairu is not thinking about the past results.

“There is no pressure from any angle. Our victory over Tunisia two years ago is a great motivation, even though you didn’t talk too much in the past.

“We won them 4-0 in the third game at that time, but now it will be a different scenario. They are two different teams despite representing the same country.

“I do not see that it is a pressure, although the story can always play a role in the motivation of a team. Therefore, it will serve as a motivating factor for the team,” he concluded.