Unity Cup: Debutant Azeez scores twice as Super Eagles beat Zimbabwe, reach final

Editor

Millwall winger Femi Azeez marked his Super Eagles debut with a brace. His goals pushed Nigeria into the final of the 2026 Unity Cup on Tuesday.

The 24-year-old inspired a 2-0 victory over Zimbabwe in the semi-final at The Valley in Charlton, London, as Nigeria moved a step closer to retaining the title they won in 2025.

Azeez, fresh from a breakout Championship season in which he scored 11 goals and contributed seven assists to earn the EFL Championship Player of the Season award, announced himself on the international stage with a long-range strike in the fifth minute.

The right-footed effort from beyond 35 yards was assisted by Terem Moffi.

Azeez netted in both halves to send the Super Eagles into Saturday’s final, where they will face Jamaica or India.

The 24-year-old Millwall forward opened the scoring in the fifth minute as he fired in a low left-foot shot into the back of the net, off a lay off by Terem Moffi, who served as the team captain for this game.

In the 63rd minute, Azeez made it 2-0 off another assist from Moffi. Then Super Eagles broke on the left with Moffi squaring the ball towards Azeez, who simply slotted home from close range.

The game saw head coach Eric Chelle list four debutants – goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo, Rangers of Enugu duo Chibueze Oputa, Obinna Igbokwe, and Azeez in his starting lineup.

Also in the starting lineup were Alhassan Abdullahi, Tochukwu Nnadi, Moffi, Philip Otele, Samson Tijani, Chibuike Nwaiwu, and Igoh Ogbu.

Ikorodu City midfielder Aderemi Adeoye, Owen Oseni of Plymouth, and Rafiu Durosinmi of Pisa FC all made their debuts for the Super Eagles against Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe made five second-half substitutions, including the withdrawal of Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Marvelous Nakamba, but could not find a way back into the contest.

Nigeria will face either Jamaica or India in the final on May 30 at The Valley