In the world of Nigerian football, few figures stand as tall as Aliyu Zubair, the newly appointed head coach of the U20 national team.
His recent triumph with the Flying Eagles, culminating in a victory over Ghana to secure a spot in the 2025 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations, is not just a testament to his tactical acumen but also to his profound philosophy on coaching, Sports247 reports.
Franklin Oluwasegun Currie, the founder of Kiraa Football Club, emphasizes the unique approach Zubair brings to the game in an interview wuth Sports247 in Lome.
“What makes Coach Zubair special is his ability to nurture talent while providing clear direction,” Currie says.
“He understands that winning is not just about the immediate results but about developing players who can perform at the highest level.”
Zubair’s journey to this pinnacle has been marked by an unwavering commitment to youth development.
His belief in the potential of young players is evident in his coaching style, where he balances discipline with encouragement.
“He instills a sense of responsibility in each player,” Currie notes.
“They don’t just play for themselves; they play for their teammates, their coaches, and their communities.”
This philosophy bore fruit in the WAFU B tournament, where Kparobo Arierhi’s standout performance illustrated the effectiveness of Zubair’s methods.
“Zubair’s emphasis on teamwork and individual accountability transformed this squad into champions,” Currie explains.
Moreover, Zubair’s past successes, including promotions of various clubs to the Nigerian Premier Football League, highlight his capacity to build winning teams from the ground up.
“He is not just a coach; he is a mentor, a leader who shapes the future of Nigerian football,” Currie asserts.
As Zubair looks ahead to the challenges of the Africa U-20 Cup of Nations and beyond, the foundation he has laid with the Flying Eagles promises a bright future for Nigeria’s footballing landscape.
Currie’s words resonate: “With leaders like Aliyu Zubair at the helm, the future of Nigerian football is indeed in capable hands.”
