Flying Eagles head coach Aliyu Zubairu is targeting maximum points in Nigeria’s final group game of the ongoing FIFA U20 World Cup against Colombia to ensure safe passage into the knockout rounds, Footynaija.com reports.
Zubairu’s boys, having suffered defeat in their opening group match against Norway, earned their first three points of the tournament following a hard-fought 3-2 win over Saudi Arabia at Estadio Fiscal.
Goals from Nasiru Salihu, Amos Ochoche and Flying Eagles captain Daniel Bameyi, who netted a stoppage-time penalty, sealed all three points for Nigeria.
Related Post
Speaking after the game, Zubairu reflected on the improvements from the loss to Norway and commended his players for their efforts against Saudi Arabia before swiftly turning his attention to the Flying Eagles’ final group fixture against Colombia.
“If you look at the first match [against Norway], we had most of the possession, but we ran out of luck,” Zubairu said, per FIFA plus.
“They sat with each other, and after everything we told them, they made up their mind that they are going all out for the three points here. I think that was what really motivated them.
“The next match is against Colombia, I think that’s where we’ll shift the focus to. So that we can at least come out with another three points and be secure of getting the tickets out of the group. Next line of action is to go for the three points against Colombia, [it is] as simple as that.”
The Flying Eagles of Nigeria currently sit third in Group F with three points, trailing behind Colombia and Norway, who have four points each to their names.
