Coach Aliyu Zubairu calls for prayers, support ahead of Flying Eagles AFCON campaign

The Head Coach of the Nigeria's Flying Eagles, Aliyu Zubairu has called on Nigerians to continue to offer their prayers and support for the team as they begin their campaign in the ongoing U20 AFCON in Egypt on Thursday with a game against Tunisia.

The tactician made the call while speaking to the NFF media in a pre match press conference.

Aliyu stated that the team have prepared very well and are ready to give their best in the tournament.

"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."

While noting Nigerians' passion for football and the expectations on the team,he called for more support for the team in their bid to excel at the tournament.

He said "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"

Aliyu who once again expressed the readiness of the team for the campaign said the boys are not be under any pressure, given the result of the last meetings between both teams in the third place final of the last edition of the U20 AFCON where the Nigerian team defeated their Tunisian counterparts.

"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."

Aliyu insisted that the major target of the team is to secure the World Cup ticket.

He said "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."

Nigeria's Flying Eagles will  square up against the Tunisian team at the 30 June Stadium Cairo on Thursday,  May 1, 2025, with kick off time billed for 4pm Nigerian time.