Debutant hero Azeez sends Nigeria to Unity Cup final

A noticeably understrength Super Eagles took full command of Charlton Athletic Stadium (The Valley) on Tuesday and handed a heavy 2-0 defeat to the Warriors of Zimbabwe in the first semi-final of this year’s Unity Cup football tournament.

Coach Eric Chelle fielded a barely recognizable team in the first match of his defense of the trophy he won with the three-time African champions a year ago, with goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo, defender Chibueze Oputa and striker Femi Azeez making their first appearances for the country.

Azeez, who plays for Millwall FC in the English Championship, quickly put Nigeria ahead in the fifth minute when he finished off a great team move with a left-footed shot that goalkeeper Future Sibanda could not stop.

Azeez and American midfielder Alhassan Yusuf came close four minutes later, but this time Sibanda was able to avoid the danger. Eight minutes later, Marshall Munetsi found the Nigerian goal, but his shot was blocked by Turkish centre-back Chibuike Nwaiwu. Nwaiwu combined beautifully with Czech Republic’s Igoh Ogbu and locals Oputa and Igboke to make Nigeria’s defense impregnable.

Jordan Zemura shot over the sticks in the 32nd minute^{North Dakota}minute, and 10 minutes later, Nwaiwu had to make a solid tackle inside the area to stop Junior Zindoga’s advance.

German forward Philip Otele and midfielder Tochukwu Nnadi came close late in the first half, but the Warriors kept the score low until the break.

In the second half, Azeez scored his and Nigeria’s second of the night after beating Sibanda in the box following another quick team move, with Otele finding Terem Moffi, who then located the Millwall man in the vital area.

in 71^street Within a minute, Okonkwo had to stretch completely to deny the Warriors, as they advanced in large numbers seeking to minimize the damage. While Nigeria remained firmly in control of the proceedings, coach Chelle gave opportunities to Tosin Oyedokun, Owen Oseni, Rafiu Durosinmi and Aderemi Adeoye to also play their first matches for Nigeria.

In Saturday’s final at the same venue, the Super Eagles will face the winner of Wednesday’s second semi-final between last year’s runners-up Jamaica and India.