Is Aliyu Zubairu A Genius? Coach Explains Flying Eagles, El Kanemi Success

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Flying Eagles head coach, Aliyu Zubairu recently shared insights on how he successfully juggles his responsibilities with the National team and El-Kanemi Warriors.

The Flying Eagles on Wednesday clinched their second consecutive WAFU B Championship title, defeating Ghana 2-1 in the final, while El-Kanemi remains unbeaten in the NPFL, even in his absence.

In an interview with Brila.net, Zubairu explained his approach to managing both roles.

“If you have a good assistant at the club, you don’t have a problem,” he said.

“El-Kanemi is built on structure. I don’t just develop players; I build a structure that any player can fit into. My assistant understands how I operate, so it doesn’t change anything.”

Zubairu also acknowledged the contributions from supporters who provided financial motivation to the players.

“It helped a lot. After the money was sent I made sure the administrator of the U-20 credited the account of the boys, because it was meant for them and they got the money even before the final.

“So motivation cannot be underestimated when it comes to sports, football in particular. Everybody got the money and it was really appreciated.”

Following their victory, the Flying Eagles will return to Nigeria today, bringing home both the championship and a qualification spot for the U-20 AFCON in 2025.

Looking ahead, Zubairu emphasized the importance of early preparations for the continental tournament.

“We plan to start preparations early, including arranging international friendlies to better prepare the team for the AFCON,” he said.