As Nigeria prepares for the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile, Flying Eagles head coach Aliyu Zubairu has vowed to address the team’s persistent scoring issues that plagued them during the Africa U-20 Cup of Nations earlier this year.
The Flying Eagles, under Zubairu’s guidance, finished third at the continental tournament held in Egypt but struggled in front of goalmanaging just four goals from open play throughout the competition. Their highest-scoring performance was a 2-2 draw against Kenya, highlighting a worrying lack of attacking potency.
Speaking after stepping down from his role as head coach of Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) side El-Kanemi Warriors to focus fully on the national team, Zubairu acknowledged the team’s deficiencies in attack.
“I think for most of us that followed what really happened during AFCON, we know that we did not find things easy. Particularly, if you look at the area of goal scoring,” he said.
“We were having the best of position playing against any team at all. But when it comes to finishing, we really had some difficulties. But that has been taken care of and I believe the most important thing is the ticket to the World Cup which we got.”
Nigeria has been drawn in Group F for the global youth tournament, alongside Colombia, Norway and Saudi Arabia. The Flying Eagles will begin their campaign against Norway on 29 September, followed by a clash with Saudi Arabia on 3 October. They will conclude the group stage against Colombia on 6 October.
The tournament, which will take place from 27 September to 19 October, marks another opportunity for Nigeria’s U-20 side to push for global success.
The team has previously reached the final of the tournament twice finishing as runners-up in 1989 after losing to Portugal, and again in 2005, when a young Lionel Messi inspired Argentina to victory over the Flying Eagles.
More recently, Nigeria’s journey at the 2023 edition in Argentina ended at the round-of-16 stage following a narrow defeat to South Korea. With history and expectations weighing on his shoulders, Zubairu has a clear task ahead: rejuvenate Nigeria’s attacking approach and deliver a strong showing in Chile.
