Nigeria coach Aliyu Zubairu aims for best-ever finish at U-20 World Cup

Nigeria’s U-20 national team head coach Aliyu Zubairu has said the Flying Eagles will go all out to surpass their previous record finish at the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile.

 

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Zubairu made this bold proclamation in an interview with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) via their Instagram page on Friday.

The seven-time African champions’ record was set at the 1989 and 2005 U20 World Cups where they were beaten finalists in those editions.

The Flying Eagles coach, while addressing his action plan for his boys, said they are working towards breaking the previous record as it will be good for the nation.

“The only thing you can do to impress Nigerians is to surpass the record of the under 20. And the boys understand that, so if we can surpass the past record it’s going to be good for us and for the nation, and we are working towards that. That is the target and that’s our plan.”

He also added that they will take it one step at a time and ensure to secure one of the qualifying tickets to the knockout stage.

“We are going to take it one step at a time, the first thing is to get out from the group. At least two will qualify from each group so we want to make sure we get one of the ticket from the group and then we will think of the next action.”

Zubairu’s side was eliminated in the quarter-finals by Korea two years ago in Argentina, and now back in South America the gaffer aims to come back to Nigeria with the trophy.

The Flying Eagles are drawn in Group F with Norway, Colombia, and Saudi Arabia.

They will face Norway in their opening fixture on Monday, 29 September.