Nigeria takes on Senegal this Monday in a high-stakes quarter-final of the 2025 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations. For head coach Aliyu Zubair, the mission is clear: secure a spot in the semi-finals—and, with it, a ticket to the U-20 World Cup in Chile this September.
The knockout stage kicks off with a marquee showdown between the defending champions Senegal and record-chasing Nigeria. The Teranga Cubs had a rocky group stage and had to wait until the final matchday to book their place in the quarter-finals. Meanwhile, the Flying Eagles had a relatively smooth run, despite some inefficiencies in front of goal.
For this decisive encounter, both sides are expected to field their strongest lineups. Coach Zubair remains focused on the bigger picture:
“We want to reach the semi-finals. Our top priority is to qualify for the World Cup. That’s where all our attention is. We’re building momentum, and I believe we’re ready now,” said the Nigerian coach, whose team is eyeing a record-extending ninth title.
Fully aware of the threat posed by the reigning champions, Zubair expects a tough battle but is not backing down:
“We are very confident. We respect all our opponents, including Senegal. But Nigeria has been in this position before. This time, we’re the ones who will stop them.”
Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m. (GMT+1).