Coach of Nigeria’s U-20 national team, Aliyu Zubairu, has assured Nigerians that the Flying Eagles will be fully prepared for the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile this September — provided that early and comprehensive preparations begin immediately.
Following Nigeria’s third-place finish at the TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, where they clinched a vital World Cup ticket, Zubairu acknowledged the team’s shortcomings but remained confident about their prospects on the global stage.
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“We have identified the areas that need improvement,” Zubairu said. “As long as we begin preparations early, especially with the right support and an extended camping period, I’m confident we can put together a much stronger team for the World Cup.”
Zubairu highlighted the importance of strategic planning and team cohesion ahead of facing top international opponents in Chile. He added that player evaluation and tactical adjustments will be key components of the team’s next phase of development.
“We’ve seen what this team can do under pressure. With more time, the right structure, and the necessary support from the Federation, I believe we can make Nigerians proud,” the coach said.
The Flying Eagles, who secured their World Cup berth after defeating Senegal in a tense quarter-final on penalties, rounded off their campaign with a 4-1 shootout win over Egypt to take home the bronze medal.
With just a few months before the World Cup kicks off, all eyes will be on how quickly the Nigeria Football Federation can roll out the team’s preparation schedule
