Flying Eagles head coach Aliyu Zubairu has said his team will fight hard to beat Kenya in their final group game at the 2025 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations.
Zubairu’s side played out a 0-0 draw in their second Group B game against Morocco at the June 30 Air Defence Stadium, Cairo on Sunday night.
The seven-time champions occupy second position in the group with four points from two games.
Leaders Morocco have same points but enjoyed a superior goal difference.
Read Also:‘It Was A Good One’ — Bameyi Reacts To Flying Eagles Draw Against Morocco
Kenya are bottom of the standings after they lost 3-2 to Morocco and 3-1 to Tunisia.
“We will approach the game against Kenya with all sense of positivity,” Zubairu said after the clash with Morocco.
“They are a good side and we will play against them with a lot of respect even though they are yet to get a point in this group.
“We will play with all the concentration to get the three points.”
The Flying Eagles will tackle the Rising Stars of Kenya Wednesday.
By Adeboye Amosu
1 Comment
To be honest I have been unimpressed with this Flying Eagles’ performances in the 2 games played in the ongoing U-20 Afcon.
A fortuitous win against Tunisia in their opening match was followed by a laboured but respectable goalless draw against tournament favourites Morocco.
That said, I genuinely think this feeder Super Eagles have redeeming qualities.
Against Morocco, through raw grit and physicality, they curbed the North Africas and stopped them from getting into a rhythm long enough to create credible scoring chances.
Our centre back pairing is good. The goalkeeper is manageable, the defensive midfield infrastructure is decent and the attacking intent is commendable.
What they lack are well refined routines to pry open defences. The infrastructure set up by coach Aliyu to manufacture scoring chances is unrefined. It’s easy to blame me wingers, strikers and attacking midfielders.
But their movements upfront are a reflection of the instructions of Coach Aliyu which lack sound technical input.
Again, I think Coach Aliyu should go back to the basics upfront. Our attacking infrastructure should practice to perfection the basics of crossings, cut backs , positioning, and effective interplay of imaginative passes.
At the back, they are sound, they need more ingenuity upfront which will help open more doors for this team in games to come.