Zubairu sets World Cup target as Flying Eagles kick off U-20 AFCON campaign

Photo Credit - The Nigeria Football Federation.

Flying Eagles head coach Aliyu Zubairu has firmly stated that his team's primary focus is securing a coveted World Cup ticket at the upcoming 2025 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations.

With the tournament taking place in Egypt, the stakes are high as the four semi-finalists will earn the right to represent Africa at the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup, hosted by Chile later this year.

The Flying Eagles, who last tasted success on the continent in 2015, are among the favourites to win the title at this year’s edition of the biennial competition. With expectation and their status as favourites, coach Zubairu emphasised that the aim is to lift the trophy but first they have to secure a World Cup ticket by reaching the semi-finals.

“We wouldn’t want to put too much pressure on the boys, that they must win the trophy. The first target now is to get the ticket to the World Cup. When we get to the semi-final stage, we will sit them down again, and talk about winning the title, but our first target is the World Cup ticket,” said Zubairu.

The seven-time champions will kick off their campaign against Tunisia at the June 30 Stadium, Cairo on Thursday 1st May, 2025. Meanwhile, focused at the task at hand the Flying Eagles gaffer stated his players are ready for the task ahead.

“We are very much prepared, if you look at the journey, we started preparation from Abuja to Kastina, then Kastina back to Abuja. Now, we are in Egypt waiting for the first match which is against Tunisia, the boys are ready,” he added.

He also asserted that his charges are motivated to beat the Tunisians again as they did two years ago in Egypt. “There is no pressure from any angle. Our win over Tunisia two years ago is a big motivation, even though you don’t dwell too much in the past,” he said.

Having previously clashed in five encounters, the Flying Eagles holds a stronger head-to-head record against Tunisia, with three victories, a draw and one defeat. Nigeria's recent victory against the North African side wad a 4-0 whitewashing two years prior in Egypt.