Coach of newly crowned President Federation Cup kings, Aliyu Zubairu of El-kanemi Warriors of Maiduguri, has backed his young side, saying he won’t dump the players now for more experienced boys as his team seek to represent Nigeria at the continent.
Zubairu said this during a post match conference on Saturday, at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, (Onikan), shortly after his side clinched their third federation cup title against NPFL side, Abia Warriors, whom they defeated 2-0 in that epic final played in Lagos.
According to the Nigeria Premier Football League newcomers coach, who said he believes in young players and his decision to go for youth as against older players at the beginning of the season paid off handsomely, as the team started playing plenty matches, as younger players recover faster than their older counterparts, he explained.
“I will not dump this players for anything.
“They have exceeded my expectations to be frank, because most of these boys doesn’t even have league experiennce before now.
“I know playing in the continent is a different ball game but I have confidence in these players and I believe it’s more about team play and understanding of the game rather than which player plays.
“If European players can make it to the top level at 17 years why can’t we back our young players to achieve likewise?, he queried.
“I’m not saying that experience is not good, what I’m saying is that we can do more to encourage our young players, he said.
“My decision to go for young players paid off hugely when we began to prosecute many matches, because these young players recover faster”, he concluded.
El-Kanemi Warriors booked Nigeria’s second CAF Confederation Cup ticket for next season and will vie for honours in Africa’s second-tier club competition alongside Enyimba, who earlier sealed their spot after finishing third in the 2023–24 Nigeria Premier Football League table.
The Bornu Army claimed their third Federation Cup title after triumphs in 1991 and 1992, courtesy of a brace (two goals) from midfielder, Nasiru Salihu.
El-kanemi is also one of the four teams that gained promotion to the elite division, NPFL from the NNL at the just concluded season alongside Beyond Limits, Ikorodu City and Kano Pillars.