Nigeria, Sept. 25 -- After wrapping up a crucial 12-day training camp that featured international friendlies against Chile and Australia, Flying Eagles head coach Aliyu Zubairu has expressed satisfaction with his side's progress and confidence heading into the FIFA U-20 World Cup.

Nigeria's U-20s played out a 1-1 draw against Chile before recording an emphatic victory over Australia, scoring three goals in the process. For Zubairu, the results are secondary; the real gain lies in the team's evolution.

Reflecting on the 12-day preparation period, the coach stressed that the matches served more as laboratories for improvement than as exhibitions of dominance.

"We have gone a long way. Like you mentioned, the two matches that we played, I...