WAFU B: Nigeria U20 Coach Aliyu Zubair confident despite late preparations ahead of Ghana clash

Head coach of Nigerias U20 national team, Aliyu Zubair, has acknowledged that his team had to make last-minute preparations for the 2025 WAFU Zone B U20 Championship, but remains confident in their readiness to face arch-rivals Ghana in the tournament opener.

The Flying Eagles will lock horns with the Black Satellites on Thursday, July 10, at the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence in Prampram, in a highly anticipated Group A encounter. Kick-off is scheduled for 15:00 GMT.

Speaking at the official pre-match press conference, Coach Zubair admitted the teams build-up to the tournament was less than ideal, owing to their initial focus on preparations for the FIFA U20 World Cup.

Were ready, but its really not the competition we were originally preparing for, Zubair said. We reconvened just a week ago because we had initially planned to regroup ahead of the World Cup. But we had to quickly reorganize because of this tournament. However, we are ready.

Despite the time constraints, Zubair remains confident in the experience and mentality of his squad. He underscored the special nature of Ghana-Nigeria football ties, describing the rivalry as a constant source of motivation.

We know the history between Ghana and Nigeria, its always intense at every level, he noted. Even if its community football, anywhere in the world, its always attractive because of the clean and fierce rivalry.

Nigeria enters the tournament as the defending champions, having clinched the last edition of the WAFU U20 Championship in Togo, where they defeated Ghana in the final. The upcoming clash marks a renewal of that rivalry, with both teams determined to make a strong start in a group that also includes Benin.

With only three teams in Group A, each result will be crucial in determining the semi-finalists. For Zubair and his Flying Eagles, Thursdays showdown is more than just a group-stage match, its an opportunity to assert their dominance and continue their legacy in West African youth football.

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