Flying Eagles coach, Aliyu Zubairu says the team is no longer affected by the anxiety of sealing a FIFA U-20 World Cup ticket as they now fight for their eighth AFCON title in Egypt,
Nigeria sealed their ticket to the U-20 World Cup, which will be held in Chile later this year, on Monday after eliminating defending champions Senegal 3-1 on penalties in the quarter-finals.
As a result of the win, the Flying Eagles have now set up a semi-final date with South Africa on Thursday, and the coach is confident that they will get better in their quest to win the eighth continental title.
The man who led El-Kanemi Warriors to win last year’s President Federation Cup competition believes his team has improved considerably since the first match against Tunisia.
MUST READ:U-20 AFCON: Zubairu Satisfied With Flying Eagles’ Draw Against Kenya
To set up a clash with Nigeria, the South Africans had to also endure a 120-minute battle against the Democratic Republic of Congo, beating them 1-0 in extra-time, also at the same Suez Canal Authority Stadium where the Flying Eagles upended Senegal’s expectations.
Nigeria’s seven U-20 AFCON titles were won in 1983, 1985, 1987, 1989, 2005, 2011, and 2015. They were runners-up twice 1999 and 2007 and were bronze medallists on two other occasions as well in 2009 and 2013.
In the second semi-final on Thursday, hosts and four-time winners Egypt, who defeated 1999 world champions Ghana, will take on Morocco in Cairo.
(Editor: Anoyoyo Ogiagboviogie)
