Flying Eagles head coach Aliyu Zubairu has taken full responsibility for Nigeria’s 4–0 loss to Argentina in their second Group B match at the ongoing 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup, admitting that his tactical approach “did not work as planned.”
The defeat, one of the heaviest suffered by Nigeria at the youth level in recent years, exposed gaps in the team’s defensive organization and transition play. Speaking after the game, Zubairu said he accepts blame for the result and vowed to make amends in the future.
On Wednesday night, the seven-time African champions were eliminated from the ongoing 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile after losing badly to Argentina 4-0.
Nigeria struggled to cope with Argentina’s high pressing and quick movement, conceding twice in the first half before the South Americans sealed the victory with two more goals after the break.
Although optimistic about his team’s prospects at the start of the competition, Zubairu said he accepts full responsibility for the unfortunate outcome versus Argentina.
“It’s football, and I’m part of it. I take the blame and responsibility. The day they win, they win, and as they lost today, I take responsibility,” he said in his post-match reaction.
“I think the early goal is part of what destabilised us. We conceded very early, and even the second goal came not too far from the first. That affected our approach,” added Zubairu.
