Millwall winger Femi Azeez made headlines with his double against Zimbabwe in Nigeria's 2026 Unity Cup opener at the Valley Stadium in London, Soccernet.ng reports.
In what was his first outing with the Super Eagles, the 24-year-old's debut was iconic, as his involvement set Chelle's men up for back-to-back Unity Cup finals.
For established names like Samuel Chukwueze and Nathan Tella, Azeez’s emergence in the Super Eagles fold could become more significant than many initially expected.
While one performance alone cannot rewrite the pecking order, it sends a bold message to Eric Chelle ahead of the 2027 AFCON qualifiers.
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How Femi Azeez performed against Zimbabwe
Against Zimbabwe, Azeez offered something Nigeria’s attack has occasionally missed in recent months: unpredictability.
The former Reading winger was at the centre of everything good that happened for Chelle's side at Charlton Athletic's home yesterday evening. His willingness to drive into dangerous areas gave Nigeria another attacking outlet beyond the usual central combinations.
Azeez also played centrally, a position he's not featured in for his club side, but he didn't look out of place either, showing he can adapt to Chelle's system.
That matters because Nigeria’s current wide options have often been criticised for inconsistency. Chukwueze remains one of the country’s most gifted dribblers, but his decision-making and end product have fluctuated at club and international level.
Tella, meanwhile, has struggled to fully establish himself as a guaranteed starter despite the tactical discipline he's shown at Bayer 04 Leverkusen. Additionally, he's had his injury problems.
Pressure mounting on Chukwueze
For Samuel Chukwueze, his place in the national team could be up for grabs. Although his talent is unquestionable, the consistency is few and far between.
For club and country, the Fulham winger has had ground-breaking games – his double against Manchester City, his creative moments against Benin Republic and Uganda, but none of those have catapulted him into a place where he can be indispensable for both sides.
Azeez’s display against Zimbabwe highlighted the qualities supporters consistently want to see from Chukwueze.
The Super Eagles now appear to have multiple wide players capable of competing for the same role. With Ademola Lookman already one of the first names on the team sheet, competition for the remaining attacking positions is becoming intense.
Meanwhile, Zadok Yohanna, Philip Otele, and Nathan Tella are still lurking in the shadows, waiting for a chance to prove themselves when they're called upon.
If Azeez continues his rise next season, Chelle may feel encouraged to rotate more rather than relying solely on reputation.
Ultimately, this is the kind of selection headache Nigeria have wanted for years. Rather than depending on one or two elite players, the Super Eagles are gradually building depth across the entire squad.
Competition raises standards, takes out comfort, and Azeez’s breakthrough may force established internationals to elevate their levels.
However, a place in the squad is not completely assured for the EFL Champions team of the Year participant. Eric Chelle, before the game against Zimbabwe, revealed that the new players have a lot of work to do if they're to displace the established players.
“It is very difficult to enter into the national team,” the 48-year-old told Colin Udoh.
“You want to play as a striker? Victor Osimhen is the best striker in the world. So, they can come, but they have to do everything.
“But the intensity, the aggresivity and desire must be there. So if you desire to play, I have no problem with that.”
With performances like the one against Zimbabwe, Femi Azeez has officially entered that conversation. Should he edge Chukwueze in delivery of consistent displays, the 24-year-old will become a Super Eagles regular in no time.
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