Flying Eagles Head coach Aliyu Zubairu has downplayed reports that the Nigerian U-20 team is in a group of death for the 2024 U-20 AFCON in Egypt.
During a new draw that was conducted on Sunday, Nigeria were drawn in Group B where they will face Tunisia, Kenya and Morocco, as they hope to win their eighth continental title.
The Flying Eagles were formerly drawn alongside Egypt, South Africa and Morocco but a new draw was occasioned by the withdrawal of former hosts Ivory Coast.
Following the draw for the tournament which kicks off on April 27 in Egypt, the El-Kanemi Warriors gaffer believes it is preparation that will make the difference.
“I think it is high time we stopped looking at some teams as bigger while some as smaller. I don’t think there is any minor opposition in Africa any longer. It all depends on your level of preparation.
“Imagine when the first draw was done, we called it a group of death simply because we were drawn alongside Egypt, South Africa and Morocco. Now we have a new draw that consists of Tunisia, and Kenya with the same Morocco we have started saying another difficult group. Which country do we want to play that is not tough? All I will say is how much we have prepared is what should be the issue.”
After winning the WAFU B U-20 Championship last year, the team embarked on a closed campaign in Katsina before returning to Abuja.
“Going by what we observed in Katsina the team has made a tremendous improvement in terms of blending the team and adapting a more advanced approach to matches,” he said.
“There is no pressure of any kind. All we are doing is to keep focus to achieve our first target which is to get a ticket to the World Cup.”
The seven-time African champions are expected to fly to Egypt this week for an eight-day final phase preparation before the competition commences.
In the other groups, hosts Egypt and South Africa, who were initially placed in Nigeria’s group, have now been drawn into Group A, where they join Zambia, Sierra Leone and Tanzania.
Group C is headlined by title holders Senegal, who will battle for a knockout berth against Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and four-time champions Ghana.
All four semi-finalists at the tournament in Egypt will fly Africa’s flag at this year’s FIFA U-20 World Cup which will be played from September 27 to October 19 in Chile.
