Nigeria’s U20 MNT coach, Aliyu Zubairu says his team is fully focused ahead of a high-stakes semi-final showdown against South Africa at the CAF U20 Africa Cup of Nations, on Thursday.
The Flying Eagles booked their place in the semi-finals after a dramatic 3-1 penalty shootout victory over defending champions Senegal.
South Africa, on their part, secured a gritty 1-0 extra-time win against DR Congo, also in Ismailia.
Speaking ahead of the game, Zubairu expressed confidence in his squad’s mentality and readiness.
“I believe we are going to have a great semi-final against the South Africans,” he said. “I can guarantee that our approach will be much better, as the anxiety of whether or not we will earn a FIFA World Cup ticket is no longer there.
“It was a tense 120 minutes for ourselves and the defending champions on Monday. We have the World Cup ticket now and are quite happy. ”
“Against South Africa, we will play with great determination and composure, as we aim for the trophy, but without the tense atmosphere around the last match,” the Coach stated.
Zubairu also noted the progress his team has made since their opening game.
“The team has improved and is actually getting better with each match. We will go all out against the South Africans,” he added.
Nigeria are seven-time champions of the U20 AFCON and have also finished as runners-up twice (1999, 2007) and claimed bronze medals in 2009 and 2019.
The rivalry with South Africa at youth level has added spice. Nigeria edged the Amajita 2-1 to win bronze in 2009 and again beat them via penalties in 2012 for third place.
However, South Africa claimed revenge, defeating Nigeria in a 2019 penalty shootout to clinch bronze.
With a final ticket and a shot at an eighth continental title on the line, the Flying Eagles will be eager to stamp their authority once more.
