Following Nigeria’s 1-0 win over Tunisia in their opening match of the 2025 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations, Flying Eagles head coach Aliyu Zubairu has praised his players for showing intent and discipline to secure an important victory.
Speaking after the match, Zubairu said there was no secret to the result, but rather a clear understanding of the team’s objective. “I think there is no secret than the fact that we really meant to get the World Cup ticket, and the boys realized we have to get the first step right, and that’s exactly what played out in today’s game,” he stated.
The Flying Eagles, powered by Auwal Ibrahim’s 37th-minute goal from a brilliant pass by Odinaka Okoro, held on to their lead through a cautious but controlled second half. With the result putting Nigeria in a strong position in Group B, attention now shifts to their next fixture against Morocco on Sunday, May 4.
Asked about the plan for that match and Morocco’s use of Europe-based talent, Zubairu remained diplomatic. “We will handle every match accordingly. The match against Tunisia is gone, and our match plan against Morocco is for our own consumption, but we are going to work towards it.”
Zubairu also addressed questions about Nigeria’s own Europe-based players, noting their limited preparation time before the tournament. “We spent almost a month in closed camping, and the European players didn’t have the opportunity to be in preparation as it is. They are doing well, but sometimes they need to understudy what the tactical description of the team looks like,” he explained. “It’s not as if they are underperforming—three of them were on the pitch today, and two of them were on the bench. We have five players from Europe, so I think that’s a reasonable number.”
The coach’s remarks reflect a grounded approach to team development, with emphasis on unity, tactical understanding, and gradual integration. As Nigeria prepares for a tougher test against Morocco, Zubairu’s Flying Eagles have taken the first step with confidence and clarity.
