Coach Aliyu Zubairu was full of praise for his team’s character following Nigeria’s dramatic 2-1 victory over Côte d’Ivoire, which secured their spot in the WAFU B U20 Championship semi-finals.
The Flying Eagles, facing elimination, mounted a spirited comeback after falling behind early in the match.
“We showed resilience and determination,” Zubairu remarked post-match, emphasizing how his players kept their focus despite the pressure. Having lost their opening group game to Burkina Faso, the coach stressed that the team had learned from that defeat and used it as motivation to fight back against Côte d’Ivoire.
Zubairu acknowledged the team’s tactical adjustments and mental toughness as the key factors that turned the tide in their favor.
“This win was a testament to the hard work we’ve been putting in since our defeat,” he added. The comeback victory not only restored confidence but also kept their title defense alive, with Nigeria aiming to replicate their success from two years ago.
Looking ahead to the semi-final against Niger Republic, Zubairu expressed optimism. “We’re delighted with the victory and look forward to the semi-finals,” he said, confident that this momentum will push the team even further as they continue their quest to retain the WAFU B title.
