The Nigeria Football Federation has appointed Aliyu Zubairu as the new head coach of the Flying Eagles, Nigeria’s national Under-20 male football team.

The decision was approved by the NFF’s executive committee following the recommendation of its Technical and Development Sub-Committee.

Zubairu, who recently led El-Kanemi Warriors of Maiduguri to win the President’s Federation Cup against Abia Warriors FC in Lagos in June, will start his role immediately.

He also guided the Maiduguri club to promotion to the Nigeria Premier Football League.

His first task as head coach will be to assemble and prepare the team for the upcoming WAFU B U-20 Championship, which is set to take place in October and November in Togo.

This tournament will determine the zone’s representative for the 2025 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations.

Zubairu’s appointment is seen as a strategic move to strengthen the Flying Eagles ahead of the championship, and his recent successes with El-Kanemi Warriors have boosted confidence in his ability to lead the team effectively.