AFCON 2025: Flying Eagles team is work in progress, says coach Zubairu
By Tosin Omojola
With the AFCON U-20 Championship set to take place in South Africa next year, Flying Eagles Head Coach Aliyu Zubairu emphasized that his team is still in development and does not yet have fixed formations.
Zubairu shared this during a meeting with the Kwara State Chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) in Ilorin on Monday.
Despite the Flying Eagles’ recent victory at the WAFU B Championship in Togo, Zubairu noted that there are key areas needing improvement. This win has secured the Nigerian U-20 team a place at the AFCON, which also serves as a qualifier for the FIFA U-21 World Cup in Chile.
“I’m somewhat dissatisfied with our defense; we were conceding goals consistently. This vulnerability cannot be overlooked on a larger stage,” he said.
Zubairu also highlighted the limited preparation time before the WAFU B tournament, which made it challenging to fully scout new talents. “I had just 37 days from my appointment to the tournament, and we retained only three players from the previous squad, so recruiting new players was essential,” he explained.
He acknowledged interest from eligible Nigerian players abroad, adding, “We won’t restrict their participation, and we’re committed to selecting players who bring the right skills.”
Looking ahead, Zubairu outlined plans for an early training camp and stressed the importance of securing a World Cup spot as a top priority.
