Zubairu Targets Wins vs Norway, Saudi Arabia, Colombia for Eagles

Flying Eagles head coach Aliyu Zubairu has singled out Nigeria’s group opponents—Norway, Saudi Arabia and Colombia as key matches to target during the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup. The U-20 side will open their campaign in Chile on 29 September against Norway, before facing Saudi Arabia three days later, and closing out group play versus Colombia.

Zubairu said the team is gathering detailed information on each opponent, respecting their strengths but refusing to “negotiate or compromise” their ambition of advancing from the group. He highlighted the importance of mental strength, tactical discipline, and preparation, pointing out that the Flying Eagles are not underestimating any side.

The Flying Eagles departed for Chile with a well-balanced squad featuring players drawn from Nigeria’s local academy system, the NPFL, and European clubs. Zubairu expressed confidence that this mix of talent, paired with physical readiness and tactical planning, gives Nigeria a real shot at surpassing their previous U-20 World Cup achievements.< Editorial

We believe Coach Aliyu Zubairu’s approach to the U-20 World Cup is grounded in ambition and belief qualities that are essential if Nigerian youth teams are to compete on the global stage. By calling out Norway, Saudi Arabia, and Colombia as matches to target, Zubairu is setting a tone of intent. He isn’t simply aiming to survive the group stage; he’s signalling that the Flying Eagles are here to win and to progress.

What is particularly noteworthy is Zubairu’s insistence that they will not “negotiate or compromise” their goal of advancing. That kind of frankness speaks to a desire to frame success not as a bonus, but as an expectation. In a tournament setting, framing wins as mandatory can sometimes increase pressure but it can also instil discipline, focus, and clarity of purpose. Nigerian youth teams have, on too many occasions, fallen short because they treated progression as something to be hoped for rather than earned. Zubairu appears to be trying to reverse that mindset.

At the same time, he has made clear that respect for the opposition remains central to his message. This balancing act is critical: confidence without caution can lead to overreach, and respect without belief can lead to defensive, reactive football. If the Flying Eagles can thread that needle playing with conviction, preparedness, and controlled aggression they will be much harder to beat.

We are cautiously optimistic. Preparing for Norway, Saudi Arabia and Colombia isn’t merely a question of tactical planning it requires psychological readiness, endurance, and the ability to manage pressure under unfamiliar conditions. Travel, altitude, climate change, and tournament rhythms will test the Flying Eagles’ adaptability. The squad’s mix of domestically trained and abroad-based players presents both a strength and a challenge harmony and cohesion will be essential.

If Zubairu’s vision takes root, this could be a team not just capable of navigating Group F but one that aims to write a new chapter in Nigeria’s U-20 World Cup story. What remains to be seen is whether the squad can convert lofty goals into on-field results.

Did You Know?

1. Nigeria’s Flying Eagles have reached the FIFA U-20 World Cup final twice in 1989 and 2005 but have never won the tournament.
2. The 2025 U-20 World Cup will be hosted by Chile, running from 27 September to 19 October.
3. At the 2023 U-20 World Cup held in Argentina, the Flying Eagles were eliminated in the quarter-final stage.
4. The squad includes players from a mix of Nigerian academies, NPFL clubs, and European teams, reflecting a deliberate blend of homegrown and internationally based talent.
5. Flying Eagles coach Aliyu Zubairu recently emphasised that overcoming group-stage challenges is “not something we should negotiate or compromise” if the team hopes to surpass past performances.