Nigeria’s U20 national team, the Flying Eagles, are poised for a commanding performance in their semi-final match against South Africa’s Amajita at the CAF U20 Cup of Nations in Ismailia on Thursday, according to Head Coach Aliyu Zubairu.
Fresh off a hard-fought 3-1 penalty shootout victory over defending champions Senegal in the quarter-finals at the Suez Canal Authority Stadium, Zubairu expressed confidence in his squad’s growing form. “I believe we are going to have a great semi-final against the South Africans,” he said on Tuesday. “Our approach will be much better, as the anxiety of securing a FIFA World Cup ticket is gone. We will play with great determination and composure.”
The seven-time champions, who secured their World Cup qualification with Monday’s win, have shown steady improvement since their opening match against Tunisia on May 1. Zubairu, who led El-Kanemi Warriors to the President Federation Cup title last year, emphasized his team’s progress: “The team is getting better with each match. We will go all out against the South Africans.”
The upcoming clash carries the weight of a historic rivalry. Nigeria, with titles in 1983, 1985, 1987, 1989, 2005, 2011, and 2015, is the most decorated team in the tournament’s history.
South Africa, reintegrated into global sport in the 1990s, reached the final in 1997 but has yet to claim the trophy. Past encounters include Nigeria’s 2-1 bronze medal win over South Africa in 2009 and a 5-3 penalty shootout victory for third place in 2019.
South Africa’s Amajita earned their semi-final spot with a 1-0 extra-time win over the Democratic Republic of Congo, also at the Suez Canal Authority Stadium. Meanwhile, in the second semi-final, hosts Egypt, four-time winners, will face Morocco in Cairo.
As both teams prepare for Thursday’s showdown, Zubairu acknowledged the stakes: “We know the rivalry between Nigeria and South Africa and what the game means. We will go in there to do a real battle.”