Aliyu Zubairu, the head coach of the Flying Eagles, is gearing up for the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup by making plans to strengthen his team with new players. Following their third-place finish at the 2025 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations in Egypt last month, the seven-time champions faced challenges in scoring goals during the tournament.
Zubairu acknowledged the need for improvement, stating, “We’ll be inviting more players to bolster all departments. We must address the issues we faced at the AFCON, particularly our finishing.” Speaking at the Kwara SWAN Hard Talk event at the Taiwo Awoniyi Media Sports Centre in Ilorin, he emphasized the importance of looking ahead and striving for better results.
Despite narrowly missing out on the AFCON title, securing a spot in the World Cup is a significant achievement for the Flying Eagles. As they prepare to compete in Group F against Norway, Saudi Arabia, and Colombia at the U-20 World Cup in Chile, Zubairu is focused on fine-tuning his team’s performance.
The first match for the West Africans is scheduled against Norway at the Estadio Fiscal de Talca on September 29. The tournament will run from September 27 to October 19, 2025, in Chile, providing the Flying Eagles with an opportunity to showcase their talent on the world stage.
With high hopes for a successful campaign in Chile, Zubairu and his coaching staff are working diligently to address the team’s weaknesses and enhance their overall performance. The addition of new players to the squad reflects their commitment to achieving better results and making a strong impression at the U-20 World Cup.
