Nigeria's Zubairu: "We’re ready for South Africa’s challenge"

Nigeria U20 head coach Aliyu Zubairu says his side will play with greater freedom and determination when they face South Africa in Thursday’s TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations semi-final.

After overcoming defending champions Senegal in a tense quarter-final shootout, the Flying Eagles are just two wins away from a record-extending eighth continental title—and Zubairu is confident the team is hitting form at the right time.

“We’re now relaxed after securing qualification for the World Cup,” Zubairu told reporters ahead of the clash in Ismailia.

“That weight is gone. The players can now focus fully on competing for the trophy.”

Nigeria beat Senegal 3-1 on penalties after a 0-0 stalemate in the quarter-finals, having emerged from Group B unbeaten but without entirely convincing.

A 1-0 win over Tunisia was followed by draws against Morocco and Kenya. But Zubairu insists the team is growing into the tournament.

“You can see the improvement in every match,” he said. “We’ve studied South Africa well. I watched their game against DR Congo. They’re physical, well-organised and dangerous on the counter—but we believe we have what it takes to win.”

The South Africans booked their place in the semi-finals with a hard-fought 1-0 win over DR Congo after extra time.

Thabang Mahlangu’s third goal of the tournament sealed their spot in Chile for the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup, and extended Amajita’s unbeaten run to four matches.

But despite their form, history favours the Flying Eagles. Nigeria have reached the semi-finals in all nine of their last U-20 AFCON appearances and have won the title seven times.

Zubairu, who guided El-Kanemi Warriors to domestic silverware in Nigeria, now wants to add continental glory to his résumé.

“We respect South Africa, but we’re focused on our own game,” he added. “The goal is the final. We’ve been here many times. The players know what’s at stake.”

Nigeria’s defence, marshalled by captain Daniel Bameyi, has kept three clean sheets in four matches, while goalkeeper Ebenezer Harcourt was a standout performer against Senegal. But it’s goals that have been harder to come by—with just three in open play across four games.

Zubairu admits this is an area for concern: “We’ve worked on our finishing. We created chances, especially against Kenya and Senegal. We just need that final touch.”

The match marks the fourth time Nigeria and South Africa will meet at U-20 AFCON level. Nigeria won the 2009 third-place playoff 2-1, while the other two encounters in 2019 ended in goalless draws, with South Africa edging the third-place playoff on penalties.

Kick-off at the Suez Canal Stadium in Ismailia is set for 15:00 GMT on Thursday. The winner will meet either Egypt or Morocco in Sunday’s final.