Debutant Femi Azeez scores brace as Super Eagles beat Zimbabwe to advance into Unity Cup final
Millwall forward Femi Azeez scored a brace on his debut for the Super Eagles as defending champions Nigeria defeated Zimbabwe 2-0 in the opening game of the 2026 Unity Cup at the Valley on Tuesday night.
It only took the 24-year-old six minutes into the match to open the scoring for Nigeria when he fired home a ball into the bottom left corner of the net from yards outside the 18-yard box.
Neither side was able to find the net for the remainder of the first half of the semifinal tie.
The majority of the first team regular players were not called up by head coach Eric Chelle for the four-team mini tournament but will feature in Nigeria’s friendly matches against Poland and Portugal in June.
Azeez, however, seized the opportunity to make a case for himself as he scored again in the 63rd minute after slotting home a pass into the box by Terem Moffi to grab his brace of the game and seal the victory for Nigeria.
The Eagles will defend their title against the winner of Wednesday’s second semifinal match between Jamaica and India in the final on May 30.
Wrexham goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo also made his maiden appearance for the Super Eagles after switching his international allegiance from England to Nigeria last month.
Additionally, Tosin Oyedokun, Aderemi Adeoye, Chibueze Oputa and Kenneth Igboke made their debut for the senior team.
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
Economy
Niger Gas pledges to meet hospital oxygen demands in Enugu
Niger Gas has assured hospitals in Enugu state that the company is ready to meet all their oxygen demands within the shortest possible time.
States
Police nab Black Axe cultist, recover stolen vehicle in Akwa Ibom
The police command in Akwa Ibom says it has recovered a suspected stolen Toyota Hilux vehicle with registration number NYA 399 AA.
States
Kano sanitation board warns traders against indiscriminate waste disposal
REMASAB has warned roadside traders and other operators against indiscriminate waste disposal on roads and in drainage channels.
States
Police arrest Ogun woman for stealing iPhone
A 28-year-old woman, Divine Kalu, appeared before the Ota Magistrates’ Court in Ogun on Tuesday for stealing an iPhone worth N1.6 million.
Agriculture
Kano zoo warthog gives birth to piglets
The Kano Zoological and Wildlife Management Agency has announced the birth of two warthog piglets at its zoo.
Health
Trump signs order to cut childhood vaccines, urges split of MMR shots
Health secretary, who had long opposed vaccination over alleged links with autism, claimed Mr Trump’s order sought to give parents choice and not to limit access to vaccines.
