Flying Eagles head coach, Aliyu Zubairu, has insisted that the pressure and expectations from millions of Nigerians ahead of the FIFA U-20 World Cup should not be seen as a burden but rather as a motivation for his young squad.
Speaking ahead of their group opener against Norway, Zubairu acknowledged that fans expect nothing short of excellence from the team, but he said that such expectations inspire his players to push harder.
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“In football, pressure is part of the game. For me and my players, it is not something that weighs us down—it pushes us to give more,” Zubairu said. “Nigerians want results, and we respect that. But for us, it is motivation to show the world what we can do.”
Nigeria has a storied history at the U-20 level, reaching the finals in 1989 and 2005 but falling short of the title on both occasions. Zubairu believes that only by surpassing those achievements will his current squad earn true respect back home.
“Our country has played in two finals before, so if we do not go beyond that, then we have not achieved anything new. The challenge before us is to raise the bar and bring pride to Nigeria,” he explained.
He also praised the commitment of his players in training, noting that their energy and determination give him confidence heading into the tournament.
“This group is hungry. They have shown me they want to succeed, and that is the kind of spirit you need at a World Cup,” the coach added.
Zubairu urged Nigerians to continue backing the team, stressing that unity between fans and players is vital.
