Flying Eagles coach Aliyu Zubairu has said he is positive after his team were drawn in a first round group that includes Saudi Arabia, Colombia and Norway at this year’s U20 World Cup.
He also admitted he is on the lookout for sharp shooters after the Flyng Eagles struggled in front of goal at the recent U20 AFCON in Egypt.
“My thoughts about the draw are positive,” he said after the draw in Santiago, Chile.
“It’s very good that Nigeria are one of the countries participating in the World Cup proper.”
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He noted that Nigeria’s qualification to the World Cup is a testament to the country’s football excellence, while adding that the priority of his team is to prepare and compete well in the World Cup.
The coach noted that the just-concluded U20 AFCON in Egypt helped the technical crew understand where improvements are needed and is committed to working towards it.
Aliyu emphasized that the team’s possession-based style was evident at the last AFCON but admitted that goal scoring was the major bane at the African showpiece.
He said: “We will fortify the team in all departments before the World Cup, particularly in attack, by bringing in players who will be more clinical in front of goal- these players can be from within Nigeria or those playing abroad; so long you are good to fit in and you are eligible agewise -where you are coming from is irrelevant.
“We are going to prepare a team that can play with higher possession and intensity, transform possession into goals, and defend effectively.”
Nigeria have been in the final of the U20 World Cup twice, and Aliyu expressed optimism that the team will surpass its past record, with winning the trophy being the main target.
Aliyu also said that he is more concerned about adequate preparation of his team and downplayed the narrative of either being drawn in a tough or easy group, noting that the team are always prepared for any challenge as evident in the last AFCON when the initial draw was changed due to the withdrawal of Cote’d’Iivoire as the host nation.
He said: “I have said it times without number that there’s nothing like group of death or a weaker group, but it’s the level of preparation of each team that matters.
“As part of the preparation, we have WAFU invitational tournament in Ghana sometimes in June and we are going to participate in it- after that, we intend to commence preparation for the world Cup early enough-though subject to NFF’s approval,” he stated.
Coach Aliyu also urged Nigerians to believe in the team and continue to support the team, especially now that they are on the world stage.
The FIFA U20 World Cup will be played in Chile from 27 September to 19 October.
For the tournament, the top two teams from each of the six groups will advance to the Round of 16, as well as the four best third-placed teams.
