Zubairu talks tough ahead of Flying Eagles U-20 AFCON semi-final clash

Photo Credit - Flying Eagles Media.

Nigeria’s U20 national team, Flying Eagles, head coach, Aliyu Zubairu, has promised a more confident Flying Eagles performance when they lock horns with South Africa in the first semi-final of the CAF U20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) on Thursday in Ismailia, Egypt.

Nigeria stopped Senegal 3-1 on penalties after both teams played out a scoreless draw in 120 minutes of action at the Suez Canal Stadium in Ismailia. The Flying Eagles held their nerves in the penalty shootout, while the Young Teranga Lions could not.

A highly motivated coach Zubairu, attested to the fact that his boys will put in a master class performance as they will play with less tension but with all professionalism.

“I believe we are going to have a great semi-final against the South Africans. I can guarantee that our approach will be much better, as the anxiety of whether or not we will earn a FIFA World Cup ticket is no longer there. It was a tense 120 minutes for ourselves and the defending champions on Monday,” said Zubairu.

“We now have the World Cup ticket and are quite happy about it. Against South Africa, we will play with great determination and composure as we aim for the trophy, without the tense atmosphere we faced in the last match. Of course, we are aware of the rivalry between Nigeria and South Africa and what this match means; we will prepare for a real battle.”

The Flying Eagles coach, believes his team has improved significantly since their first match against Tunisia on May 1.

“We can all see that the team has been progressing and getting better with each match. We will go all out against the South Africans.”

South Africa also endured a tough 120-minute match against the Democratic Republic of Congo, which took place at the same Suez Canal Authority Stadium where the Flying Eagles shocked Senegal.

The Amajita, however, avoided the dreadful penalty shootout as they won the game 1-0 after extra time, to set up a date with the most decorated team in the tournament.