Every word said by Flying Eagles coach Aliyu Zubairu ahead of U20 Afcon showdown against Tunisia

Flying Eagles head coach Aliyu Zubairu has assured Nigerians that his team is fully prepared for their opening fixture against Tunisia in the 2025 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), set to kick off in Egypt within 24 hours.

In an interview with the team’s media officer, Sharif Abdallah made available to allnigeriasoccer.com, Zubairu described the squad’s preparation as thorough and focused. 

"We are very much prepared," he said. "If you look at the journey, we started the preparation from Abuja to Katsina, Katsina to Abuja, and now we’re in Egypt waiting for the D-day, which is tomorrow—our first match against Tunisia. Definitely, the boys are ready."

The Flying Eagles defeated Tunisia 4-0 in the third-place match of the 2023 U-20 AFCON, but Zubairu dismissed any pressure to replicate that result. 

"There’s not any pressure from any angle. It shouldn’t be pressure—it should serve as motivation,” he explained. 

"Even though you don’t dwell on the past, as it is, yes, we beat them 4-0 the last time, but this is a different scenario with two different teams, even though they represent the same countries. 

"So I don’t see it as pressure. History can always play a role in motivating a team, so it’s going to serve as a motivation."

Zubairu outlined the team's primary objective in the tournament. 

"We wouldn’t want to put too much pressure on the boys. They want to win the trophy, but the first target now is to get the ticket to the World Cup. 

"By the time we get to the semi-final stage, then we’ll sit down with them again and decide where we want to be. But definitely, the first target now is to get to the World Cup."

The coach also had a message for Nigerian supporters ahead of the match. 

"We all know Nigerians. Anytime any Nigerian team is playing, their attention is always there. They leave all their businesses, everything they are doing, to concentrate on the game,” he said. 

"We wouldn’t want to let them down. But accordingly, their prayers are very, very important for us. We need their support and prayers so that the team can always perform and excel to the level we want.”

The Flying Eagles’ match against Tunisia is scheduled for Thursday in Egypt.

Wale Adejumo

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