Flying Eagles no clean sheet troubles coach Zubairu, welcomes foreign pros for U20 AFCON

Coach Aliyu Zubairu has admitted he is disturbed that the Flying Eagles failed to keep a clean sheet at the WAFU B U20 tournament in Togo.

The Flying Eagles retained the sub-regional championship, but they conceded in all four games they played in the competition.

The coach also said he will welcome foreign pros for the U20 AFCON to be played in South Africa in January.

The Flying Eagles coach reviewed the team’s victorious outing in Togo during a meeting with members of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Kwara State Chapter, in Ilorin on Monday.

“I’m somewhat dissatisfied with our defence; we were conceding goals consistently. This vulnerability cannot be overlooked on a larger stage,” he stated.

He also acknowledged the interest from eligible players outside Nigeria

“We will not hinder their participation and are committed to selecting those with the necessary skills,” he said.

Zubairu mentioned the challenges faced prior to the championship, including limited time for thorough scouting.

“I had just 37 days from my appointment to the WAFU B tournament, and we retained only three players from the previous squad, necessitating the recruitment of new talents,” he explained.

Looking ahead, the coach revealed plans for an early training camp, underlining the importance of securing a spot in the World Cup as non-negotiable.