Femi Azeez Scores Brace on Super Eagles Debut as Fans Call for Chukwueze to Be Dropped After Nigeria’s 2-0 Win Over Zimbabwe

Millwall forward Femi Azeez could hardly have scripted a better introduction to international football, netting twice on his Super Eagles debut to guide Nigeria to a 2-0 victory over Zimbabwe at the Valley Stadium in London on 26 May 2026, booking their place in the Unity Cup final.

Azeez opened the scoring as early as the fifth minute with a predatory finish before adding a second in the 63rd minute to extinguish any hope of a Zimbabwe comeback. The double made him an instant talking point among Nigerian football supporters, who had long called for the Millwall winger to receive his first senior international opportunity.

Nigeria fielded a heavily rotated squad for the semi-final, with minimal preparation time afforded to the technical crew ahead of the fixture. Despite those constraints, the side displayed considerable depth to secure a convincing result, setting up a final on 30 May against either Jamaica or India.

The performance was particularly significant given the context of Nigeria’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualification campaign on the horizon, for which Azeez’s clinical showing will have strengthened his case for a more prominent role.

Reaction on social media following the final whistle centred heavily on Azeez’s impact and what it might mean for the squad hierarchy. A large number of fans directed their comments at Samuel Chukwueze, the Fulham winger who has been a regular fixture in the Super Eagles setup, suggesting his position is now under threat.

One supporter, posting on X, wrote: “If y’all know how much I prayed make NFF call this guy and Owen Oseni ehn…Brilliant Ballers. Chukwueze should be ready for war.” Another added: “Omo if this guy gets a better team that will build his profile, Chukwueze will have to park o.” A third post was more direct, stating simply: “Good player time to bench Chukwueze.”

Among the more notable comparisons drawn was one to former Super Eagles forward Osaze Odemwingie, with one observer writing: “This Femi Azeez is giving Osaze Odemwingie vibe” — a reference to the direct, goalscoring winger who earned 63 caps for Nigeria and was a key figure in the country’s 2013 AFCON-winning squad.

Chukwueze, who joined Fulham following his spell at AC Milan, has faced intermittent criticism from sections of the Nigerian fanbase regarding his consistency at club level, and Azeez’s debut has provided a fresh focal point for that debate.

According to the original report from Pulse Sports, the Super Eagles’ victory also came amid separate controversy surrounding the playing of the wrong national anthem ahead of the match — an incident that drew its own attention before Azeez’s performance overtook it as the dominant storyline of the evening.

Nigeria, as defending Unity Cup holders, will now look to retain the trophy in the final on 30 May, with Azeez’s brace on debut ensuring the Millwall forward enters that occasion as one of the tournament’s standout performers.