Flying Eagles head coach Aliyu Zubairu has promised to address Nigeria’s lack of cutting edge in attack ahead of the 2025 FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile.
This follows the team’s third-place finish at the U20 AFCON in Egypt.
Despite securing bronze by edging hosts Egypt in the playoff, Zubairu admitted the team’s poor conversion rate in front of goal was a major shortcoming.
“We’ll be inviting more players to bolster all departments. We must fix the issues we saw at the AFCON, especially our finishing,” Zubairu told All Nigeria Soccer.
“Though we narrowly missed the AFCON title, qualifying for the World Cup is a huge achievement. Now, we must look ahead and do even better.”
The El-Kanemi Warriors boss, who succeeded Ladan Bosso after the 2023 U20 World Cup, also stated his ambition to surpass the legacy of Samson Siasia, who guided Nigeria to a runners-up finish in 2005, still the team’s best result at the tournament.
Nigeria has been drawn into Group F for the 2025 U20 World Cup, alongside Colombia, Norway, and Saudi Arabia.
The tournament is scheduled to run from September 27 to October 19 in Chile.
