Coach Zubairu Yusuf aims to select only top players for Nigeria’s U20 team following their win against Cote d’Ivoire. He plans to incorporate new talents and focus on tactical flexibility for upcoming matches. This process is crucial as they prepare for the 2025 U20 AFCON tournament.
Following Nigeria’s recent 2-0 victory against Cote d’Ivoire in a U20 international friendly, Coach Zubairu Yusuf discussed his strategic approach moving forward for the national team. He emphasized that only the top players will be chosen as they prepare for the 2025 U20 AFCON, which will also serve as a qualifying tournament for the 2025 FIFA U20 World Cup. The team’s performance during this friendly is a pivotal part of ongoing evaluations for player selection.
In an exclusive interview with media officers in Abidjan, Coach Zubairu detailed his analysis of the game, stating, “My reaction to today’s game wouldn’t be that important as it is at this level – in as much as we are still in a building process.” He noted the significance of assessing the capabilities of both returning players and newcomers in order to build a competitive squad for future tournaments.
Zubairu expressed anticipation for the integration of new players, particularly those who have progressed to international playing levels, saying, “We are expecting a reasonable number of them that will join us as soon as we go back to Nigeria.” The coach plans a week break before regrouping to welcome these foreign-based talents to the team.
Looking ahead to the upcoming second leg match, he emphasized the importance of tactical flexibility, planning to implement different strategies: “We adopted a tactic to see if it’s going to work during the AFCON proper – so we are going to go for another tactic to see so that we can have a plan A and B.” This adaptability is crucial for ensuring the team’s success as they prepare for the competitive schedule.
In summary, Coach Zubairu Yusuf is focused on selecting the best players for the Nigeria U20 national team as they gear up for the 2025 U20 AFCON. His forward-looking strategy emphasizes assessment of player capabilities, incorporating foreign talents, and enhancing tactical variations for match preparedness. These elements are essential to establishing a strong team for the upcoming challenges.
Original Source: www.sports247.ng
