U-20 AFCON: Zubairu eyes North African opponent for Flying Eagles

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U-20 AFCON: Zubairu eyes North African opponent for Flying Eagles

Flying Eagles head coach, Aliyu Zubairu, has expressed his desire for a preparatory match against a North African opposition ahead of the 2025 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations.

Nigeria will face North African heavyweights Egypt and Morocco in Group B at Cote d’Ivoire 2025.

The nine-time champions were initially scheduled to face Egypt in a two-legged friendly last month, but the fixture was called off after both teams were drawn in the same group.

Zubairu stated that facing a North African team would boost his team’s preparation for the competition.

“We will still want to play against a North African team before the AFCON because this will prepare us for the tournament,” Zubairu was quoted as saying by CAF Online.

Cote d’Ivoire will host the U-20 AFCON from Saturday, April 26, to Sunday, May 18.

The four semi-finalists will earn a ticket to the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile.