U-20 AFCON: Flying Eagles focused on Kenya - Zubairu

Photo Credit- Nigeria Football Federation.

Nigeria Flying Eagles head coach Aliyu Zubairu says his side will approach their final U-20 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) Group B match against Kenya with complete focus.

The seven-time U-20 AFCON champions, who are currently unbeaten in the group stage after two games, will trade tackles with bottom-placed Kenya at the 30 June Stadium in Cairo on Wednesday May 7.

Speaking ahead of the game during his side’s last training session, coach Zubairu said playing a side which has nothing to lose in your final group game is always tricky. Adding that Kenya are a formidable opponent.

"We are not relaxing at all. If you understand the history of tournaments, any team that has not gained any points is more difficult to play against than those who have points,” said Zubairu.

“I've been preaching in the mind of the boys, that they should not underestimate the Kenyans. They are not the bad side. The fact that they don't have points does not take anything away from them. So we are going to approach the match with a sense of seriousness to make sure [we win tomorrow]."

He also mentioned that their target remains to win group B, maximising his team’s chances in the quarter-finals.

“One of those things that is common among the technical crew and the players, is the fact that we want to do everything humanly possible to make sure that we win tomorrow's match. [We want to be able to] top the group because of the small advantage that will come with it," he added.

Flying Eagles, who sit second with four points are yet to concede a goal. They started their campaign strongly by edging out Tunisia 1-0, before a goalless draw against Morocco.

Kenya, on the other hand, have lost twice and conceded six goals. However, in both games they also scored at least one goal. Their opening defeat to Morocco ended 3-2, before they fell 3-1 to Tunisia on Matchday 2.

Group B of the Under 20 AFCON is wide open as Morocco and Nigeria both have four points, while Tunisia sit on three. A victory for the Flying Eagles will see them sail through to the quarter-finals of the biennial competition.

Elsewhere in Group B, Tunisia play against Morocco in a North African clash at the Suez Canal Stadium in Ismailia. Both sides will be out to win the section, or at least qualify as runners-up.