Ahead of the FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile, Flying Eagles coach Aliyu Zubairu has assured that plans are on to invite new players to strengthen his squad.

Zubairu stated this on Tuesday in Ilorin at the Kwara SWAN Hard Talk.

“We’ll be inviting more players to bolster all departments.

He acknowledged the team’s struggles with goal scoring during the recent U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.

The coach said that the new additions would bring more balance and depth to the team.

“We will be inviting more players to strengthen all departments,” he said.

He emphasised the need to address key deficiencies so far observed in the team.

In spite of the team narrowly missing the AFCON title, Zubairu praised the team’s qualification for the World Cup as a significant achievement.

He promised to surpass the milestone achieved by Samson Siasia, who won a silver medal with the Flying Eagles at the U20 World Cup final in 2005 in the Netherlands.

He attributed the poor performance of El-Kanemi Warriors of Maiduguri in the 2024/25 NPFL season to a lack of cohesion in the mid-season signings and the exit of two key players to Europe. (NAN)

 Super Eagles and Genk of Belgium striker, Tolu Arokodare, says it has always been his dream to play in the English Premier League (EPL).

Arokodare who spoke on Friday in London, said that he was exploring other options which included playing for other bigger clubs especially in the EPL.

He said that his desire to play for other bigger leagues does not mean that the Belgian league was not good enough.

“I am trying to go higher and I think that it is what the club and the coaches will want for me.

“In life, you just want to take that step forward and it is my time to take that step.

“I will go to any club I think is best for me but it is always a dream to play in the English Premier League,” Arokodare said.

The 24-year-old striker, who scored 21 times and assisted five times in 40 appearances in the just concluded 2024/2025 season, said it was a dream come through to have been invited to the Super Eagles.

“There are lots of football players in Nigeria now that would love to have this opportunity that I have.

“I feel very honoured to put on this jersey and represent the country in doing what I love to do.

“Every time I get out there, whether I am playing or not, I will always support the team,” Arokodare said.

The gangling striker might be favored ahead of Cyril Dessers who opted out from Thursday’s training in the final of the 2025 Unity Cup against Jamaica on Saturday. (NAN)

 South Africa won their maiden CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations title with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Morocco in Sunday night’s final at the June 30 Stadium in Cairo.

Gomolemo Kekana’s stunning second-half strike proved decisive, as the, Southern Africans claimed the trophy and rewrote history by overcoming a North African opponent in the tournament for the first time.

The only goal of the final came in the 70th minute when Kekana unleashed a powerful right-footed effort from outside the box, bending the ball into the top corner.

The goal, awarded after a VAR review, broke the deadlock in a tense contest dominated by tactical discipline and defensive organisation.

Kekana’s goal capped a superb tournament for South Africa, who had never reached a U-20 AFCON final since 1997, when they lost to Morocco.

This time, they flipped the script, avenging that defeat to lift the trophy and become the 12th different nation to win the title.

Both sides entered the final unbeaten, boasting some of the tournament’s best defensive records.

Morocco, the more fluid side in the first half, created better chances through Jones El Abdellaoui and Ilias Boumassaoudi, but South African goalkeeper Fletcher Lowe was once again in inspired form.

South Africa, who had grown into the competition after losing their opener to Egypt, showed resilience and patience.

Shakeel April and Mfundo Vilakazi had half chances, but neither side managed to find the net before the break.

The second half opened up with Morocco pushing forward, with Othmane Maamma and Abdelhamid Aït Boudlal coming close.

However, the North Africans were wasteful in front of goal, and South Africa’s high pressing eventually paid dividends.

After Kekana’s wonder goal, South Africa soaked up pressure with commendable discipline.

Morocco threw men forward in search of an equaliser, but South Africa’s backline — led by Tylon Smith and Sfiso Timba — held firm.

South Africa’s victory marks their first-ever youth continental triumph and adds them to a growing list of recent debut winners, following Senegal’s 2023 success.

It also broke their jinx against North African opposition, ending a run of five previous defeats — all by a single goal margin.

Fletcher Lowe ended the tournament with the most saves (24), underlining South Africa’s defensive resolve.

Kekana’s goal was only their ninth of the campaign, but every strike proved crucial as they edged past DR Congo, Nigeria and now Morocco in the knockout rounds.

For Morocco, the defeat marks a missed opportunity to win a second title. They came into the final unbeaten in 14 U-20 AFCON matches in open play.

But Sunday’s loss — their first defeat of the tournament — was a bitter blow.

Despite impressive performances throughout the tournament, their wait for a second crown continues.(NAN)