Coach Zubairu Yusuf Outlines Selection Criteria After Nigeria’s Victory
Coach Zubairu Yusuf emphasizes stringent selection criteria for the Nigeria U20 national team after their 2-0 victory over Cote d’Ivoire. He anticipates the return of abroad-based players to strengthen the squad ahead of the 2025 U20 AFCON, outlining the preparation for different tactical setups in their upcoming matches.
Coach Zubairu Yusuf has shared insights regarding the selection process for the Nigeria U20 national team following their recent victory over Cote d’Ivoire in a friendly match. He emphasized that only the top players would be chosen as they prepare for the upcoming 2025 U20 AFCON, which serves as a qualifier for the FIFA U20 World Cup.
In an interview post-game, Coach Zubairu assessed the match’s significance, noting that while this friendly served to evaluate the players’ readiness, he remains focused on building a balanced and competitive squad. He indicated, If any of those that went to WAFU-B can’t meet up with the standard we are looking for, he will be replaced.
Looking ahead, Coach Zubairu expressed anticipation for new talent, particularly players who have pursued their careers abroad. He mentioned, We are expecting a reasonable number of them that will join us as soon as we go back to Nigeria. The team plans to take a week-long break before regrouping to integrate these players.
Regarding the upcoming second leg match, the coach stated that they would maintain a serious approach to the game. He mentioned the importance of testing new tactics, saying, We are going to go for another tactics to see so that we can have a plan A and B- should in case plan A fail us as a team. This preparation is critical for their overall strategy heading into competitive play.
In summary, Coach Zubairu Yusuf is committed to selecting only the best players for the Nigeria U20 national team as they gear up for the 2025 U20 AFCON. He is keen on evaluating current player performance while integrating new talent, especially from abroad. The team’s strategic approach will involve testing and developing different tactics to ensure competitiveness on the international stage.
Original Source: www.sports247.ng
