Head Coach of Nigeria’s U-20 national team, Aliyu Zubairu, says the Flying Eagles are fully prepared for their opening match against Tunisia at the 2025 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), declaring it a crucial fixture in their bid to qualify for the FIFA U-20 World Cup.
Zubairu described the game as the most important of the group stage, noting that securing all three points would give his team the right momentum for the rest of the tournament.
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“This is going to be the most important part of the competition because it’s the first match,” Zubairu said. “We need to go all out to make sure we get the three points. The players understand that, and we’re ready.”
The coach emphasized that the team’s primary goal is to reach the semifinals, which guarantees a spot at the U-20 World Cup, before setting their sights on winning the trophy.
“Nothing has changed in our plan. First of all, we want to get a ticket to the World Cup,” he stated. If we start putting too much pressure on the boys, they may lose focus, and it may come out to be pressure. So the most important thing now is for us to get to the ticket and get to the semi-finals stage.
By the time we do that, we are going to sit and agree on whether to go and win the trophy. And, when we get there, we will decide on that. But for now, the most important thing and the priority is the ticket to the World Cup
Zubairu also appealed to Nigerians for their support and prayers, acknowledging the passionate connection fans have with national teams.
“Nigerians are always emotional and attached to their national teams. I believe their support and prayers will go a long way. I promise not to let them down. By God’s grace, we will make them proud.”
The Flying Eagles will be looking to start strong against Tunisia as they begin their journey toward continental glory and a place on the world stage.
