Latest news with #AliyuZubairu
Morocco World
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Morocco World
South Africa vs Nigeria: When, How to Watch U20 AFCON Semifinals
Rabat – Nigeria and South Africa will meet today in the semi-final match of the U20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), racing for a spot in the final which will take place this upcoming Sunday. The match will take place at 4 p.m. Moroccan time, and fans can watch the decisive game on CAF TV, Startimes, and DSTV. Nigeria's head coach, Aliyu Zubairu, is confident in his squad. 'We're now relaxed after securing qualification for the World Cup,' Zubairu said in a pre-match conference, noting that the players can now focus fully on the U20 AFCON title. 'We've studied South Africa well. I watched their game against DR Congo. They're physical, well-organized and dangerous on the counter—but we believe we have what it takes to win,' he said. The winner of today's game will meet either Egypt or Morocco on Sunday. Morocco is playing against Egypt today at 7 p.m. Moroccan time. South Africa has also booked its place at the 2025 FIFA U20 World Cup. They secured three wins at the U20 AFCON tournament, with this being their fifth appearance in the semifinals – a feat they also reached in 1997, 2009, 2017, and 2019. Nigeria, meanwhile, marks its 17th appearance in the semi-finals this year. They previously reached the final of the tournament in several occasions, including in 1983, 1985, 1987, 1989, 1999, 2005, 2007, 2011, and 2015. Tags: 2023 AFCON2025 afcon
CAF
15-05-2025
- Sport
- CAF
'We respect South Africa, but we're focused on winning' – Nigeria's Zubairu
Published: Thursday, 15 May 2025 Nigeria U20 head coach Aliyu Zubairu says his side will play with greater freedom and determination when they face South Africa in Thursday's TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations semi-final. After overcoming defending champions Senegal in a tense quarter-final shootout, the Flying Eagles are just two wins away from a record-extending eighth continental title—and Zubairu is confident the team is hitting form at the right time. 'We're now relaxed after securing qualification for the World Cup,' Zubairu told reporters ahead of the clash in Ismailia. 'That weight is gone. The players can now focus fully on competing for the trophy.' Nigeria beat Senegal 3-1 on penalties after a 0-0 stalemate in the quarter-finals, having emerged from Group B unbeaten but without entirely convincing. A 1-0 win over Tunisia was followed by draws against Morocco and Kenya. But Zubairu insists the team is growing into the tournament. 'You can see the improvement in every match,' he said. 'We've studied South Africa well. I watched their game against DR Congo. They're physical, well-organised and dangerous on the counter—but we believe we have what it takes to win.' The South Africans booked their place in the semi-finals with a hard-fought 1-0 win over DR Congo after extra time. Thabang Mahlangu's third goal of the tournament sealed their spot in Chile for the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup, and extended Amajita's unbeaten run to four matches. But despite their form, history favours the Flying Eagles. Nigeria have reached the semi-finals in all nine of their last U-20 AFCON appearances and have won the title seven times. Zubairu, who guided El-Kanemi Warriors to domestic silverware in Nigeria, now wants to add continental glory to his résumé. 'We respect South Africa, but we're focused on our own game,' he added. 'The goal is the final. We've been here many times. The players know what's at stake.' Nigeria's defence, marshalled by captain Daniel Bameyi, has kept three clean sheets in four matches, while goalkeeper Ebenezer Harcourt was a standout performer against Senegal. But it's goals that have been harder to come by—with just three in open play across four games. Zubairu admits this is an area for concern: 'We've worked on our finishing. We created chances, especially against Kenya and Senegal. We just need that final touch.' The match marks the fourth time Nigeria and South Africa will meet at U-20 AFCON level. Nigeria won the 2009 third-place playoff 2-1, while the other two encounters in 2019 ended in goalless draws, with South Africa edging the third-place playoff on penalties. Kick-off at the Suez Canal Stadium in Ismailia is set for 15:00 GMT on Thursday. The winner will meet either Egypt or Morocco in Sunday's final.
CAF
12-05-2025
- Sport
- CAF
World Cup tickets at stake as Africa's best collide in U20 AFCON quarter-finals
The race for Africa's four coveted spots at the FIFA U-20 World Cup Chile 2025 reaches a boiling point as the quarter-final matches of the TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations are played across three Egyptian cities on Monday. With a World Cup ticket guaranteed for each of the four semi-finalists, today's matches are no longer just about continental pride—they are about survival, legacy, and securing a place on the global stage. 'This is like a final,' Nigeria coach Aliyu Zubairu said ahead of his team's titanic clash with defending champions Senegal. 'We know what to expect. It's a big match for both teams because the winner is going to the World Cup. We must be disciplined and determined for the full 90 minutes.' The Flying Eagles, Africa's most decorated U-20 side with seven titles, enter the tie unbeaten but under scrutiny following a nervy 2-2 draw with Kenya. Their opponents, Senegal, stumbled early but revived their campaign with a decisive 2-0 win over DR Congo. It's a heavyweight battle with high stakes, as both sides know only victory will do. Later in Suez, hosts Egypt will carry a nation's hopes against high-flying Ghana. The Black Satellites, winners of Group C and former world champions themselves, arrive as favourites—but Egyptian coach Osama Nabih is banking on resilience and home support. 'We're going through difficult circumstances due to injuries and fatigue,' Nabih admitted. 'But we are armed with a fighting spirit and determined to make the fans happy. We know the importance of this match—it is our chance to qualify for the World Cup after 12 years.' Morocco, unbeaten in the group stage and firm title contenders, will face the competition's surprise package, Sierra Leone. The West Africans stunned Egypt 4-1 in the group stage and carry the hopes of a nation making its first U20 AFCON appearance. 'We respect Sierra Leone, but we know our strengths,' said Moroccan coach Mohamed Ouahbi. 'We'll rely on our technique, combinations, and tactical organisation. We must stay true to our identity.' In Ismailia, South Africa's Amajita will take on DR Congo in what could be the most finely poised fixture of the day. South Africa were steady, if unspectacular, during the group phase, while the Congolese showed both firepower and vulnerability. It's a tactical battle that could be decided by fine margins. These quarter-finals are more than just knock-out fixtures—they're make-or-break showdowns that will define careers and rewrite histories. With a place in Chile on the line, expect drama, grit, and no shortage of heartbreak. TotalEnergies CAF U-20 AFCON Egypt 2025 Quarter-Finals Fixtures 12h00 GMT | Nigeria vs Senegal 15h00 GMT | Ghana vs Egypt 15h00 GMT | Morocco vs Sierra Leone 18h00 GMT | South Africa vs DR Congo
CAF
02-03-2025
- Sport
- CAF
Nigeria coach eyes North African opponent ahead of TotalEnergies CAF U20 AFCON
Published: Saturday, 01 March 2025 Nigeria head coach Aliyu Zubairu, has expressed his desire for a preparatory match against a North African team ahead of the TotalEneriges U20 Africa Cup of Nations (U20 AFCON) in Côte d'Ivoire. The Flying Eagles have been drawn into what has been labeled the "Group of Death," featuring formidable opponents Morocco and Egypt. The team had initially planned a friendly against Egypt last month, but the fixture was called off after both sides were drawn into the same group for the upcoming tournament. "We will still want to play against a North African team before the AFCON because this will prepare us for the tournament," Zubairu stated. Mixed Results in Côte d'Ivoire Friendlies The Flying Eagles this week engaged in two test matches against U20 AFCON hosts Côte d'Ivoire, securing a 2-0 victory in the first match before suffering a 2-0 defeat in the rematch on Friday Zubairu explained that he deliberately experimented with a different tactical approach and rotated his squad in the second fixture. "We played a second tactic and we lost the game even though we also made some changes in the team," he said. "All the same, what we wanted to see, we have seen." Path to the FIFA U20 World Cup The 2025 U20 AFCON is scheduled to take place from April 26 to May 18 in Côte d'Ivoire, with the four semi-finalists earning a ticket to the FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile. Nigeria will be aiming to secure their place on the global stage while contending with some of Africa's toughest teams in the group stage.
