Nigeria’s U-20 head coach, Aliyu Zubairu, has admitted that the team’s lack of clinical finishing remains a critical weakness, despite securing bronze at the just-concluded U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Egypt.
The Flying Eagles defeated Egypt 4-1 on penalties in the third-place playoff after a 1-1 draw in regulation time. Although qualification for the FIFA U-20 World Cup had already been secured, Zubairu emphasized the importance of ending the tournament on a high note.
“One of our key challenges throughout the tournament has been our lack of clinical finishing,” Zubairu said. “That problem persisted again today. From our very first match until now, we’ve created chances but failed to convert consistently.”
The coach praised the team’s transitional play but noted a drop in efficiency once they entered the attacking third.
“Our transitions from defence to midfield are effective, but once we get to the final third, we become wasteful. We lack sharpness in front of goal,” he added.
Reflecting on the bronze medal, Zubairu described it as a consolation, stating it was not their initial target but a respectable outcome.
“We didn’t come here aiming for the bronze medal, but half a loaf is better than none,” he said. “It was a good match overall. Although we had already qualified for the World Cup, this game still meant a lot to us. It was important to finish strong.”
When asked to rate the team’s overall performance at the tournament, the coach declined to give a score, suggesting the media might be better placed to make an objective assessment.
Zubairu also addressed the team’s recurring habit of conceding early before mounting comebacks, clarifying that it was never a tactical plan.
“No coach in the world would deliberately allow his team to concede first as a tactic. In our case, it wasn’t by design—it was carelessness,” he explained.
Nonetheless, he commended the players’ mental resilience, noting their ability to bounce back strongly after setbacks.
“When they concede, it seems to ignite something in them. They come out with intensity and fight back. That is a strong mental quality in this team.”
With AFCON now behind them, the Flying Eagles will turn their focus to preparations for the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile, with Zubairu confirming that improving attacking efficiency will be a top priority in the months ahead.
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