Aliyu Zubairu, the head coach of El Kanemi Warriors, the reigning President Federation Cup champions, has expressed a strong inclination towards utilizing young players for the forthcoming Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) and continental competitions.
Drawing from his recent success with the team, Zubairu underscored the importance of investing in youth talent, paralleling the practice with European football where young players are given significant opportunities.
In a candid discussion, Zubairu challenged the prevailing hesitation to trust young players, arguing that age is not a determinant of a player’s potential or understanding of the game. He pointed to global football icons like Lionel Messi and Neymar, who broke into the spotlight at a young age, as examples of what young talent can achieve when given a chance.
“The fact remains that if the Europeans can believe in young players, what is stopping us to not to believe in that? If the Messis of this world, the Neymars of this world are breaking through at the very tender age, what is stopping our own players?”
Zubairu stressed that while experienced players have their value, the overreliance on older players has stymied the progress of younger talents in Nigerian football. He noted the paradox where players in Nigeria often break through at ages where their international counterparts are already nearing retirement.
“I’m not saying there are no experienced players that can go around the continent and do better, but don’t deprive the younger ones of the opportunity. Age does not play football. Your understanding of the game does,” Zubairu emphasized. “But the younger, the better. I still stick to that.”
“If at 29, you are trying to go out in Europe. At 31, 32, that is when we are coming in Nigeria. Are we not? Is there something not wrong with us? That’s the truth. At 32, 33, that is when the player is breaking through. At the time, the player is packing his bag and baggages to leave the stage. That is when we are coming. And the same young ones will not be given opportunity until when they are that age again.” “Come on, all of us should please think, let’s think alike.”
Zubairu called on all stakeholders in Nigerian football to reconsider their approach to youth development and give young players the opportunity to shine. “I’m not saying the experienced ones’ services are not needed, but don’t underestimate what the younger ones can do. They have the energy, they have the zeal, and they want to go. That is it.”
With this perspective, Zubairu is set to potentially lead El Kanemi Warriors into the new season with a youthful squad, aiming to blend the vibrancy of young talents with the strategic requirements of not onnly the NPFL, but the CAF Confederations Cup as a result of their Federation Cup victory.
I’m not saying the experienced ones don’t, their services is not needed, but don’t underestimate what the younger ones can do. They have the energy, they have the zeal and they want to go. That is it.”
