Femi Azeez has credited his standout performances for the Super Eagles at the Unity Cup to the positive team environment and the confidence instilled by manager Eric Chelle, as Nigeria secured a 3-0 victory over Jamaica in the final. The 24-year-old Millwall winger, who scored twice in the semifinal win against Zimbabwe, delivered a crucial assist in the final, cementing his impact on his debut for the national team. Azeez emphasized that the freedom and relaxed atmosphere within the squad have been key to his success, describing the camp as a “good family” where players are encouraged to enjoy themselves and play without pressure.
Speaking to Proudly Austin, Azeez highlighted the strong bond formed among teammates despite being together for only eight days. “It means the world. You know we’ve only been together for eight days, and we formed a good bond, a good family, and we are all happy as you can see with the celebrations,” he said. The victory in the Unity Cup final was celebrated with joy, and Azeez expressed hope that more trophies would follow. Born in London, Azeez is eligible to represent Spain, England, and Nigeria, but he has made it clear that playing for Nigeria is a deep personal honour. “It’s still an honour and it’s always going to be pride,” he stated.
Azeez’s national team debut was a dream come true after years of aspiration. “For years. I couldn’t tell you how many years. It has been a long time,” he said, reflecting on the emotional significance of representing the Super Eagles. Manager Eric Chelle’s approach played a major role in easing his transition, with Azeez noting that there was “no expectation, no pressure” when he received his first call-up. “He called me and said, ‘Just do my thing, enjoy myself and see how it goes’,” he recalled, underscoring the trust placed in him.
Despite Nigeria’s dominant 3-0 win over Jamaica, Azeez praised the Reggae Boyz for their disciplined performance. “Jamaica played a good game. They knew how we were going to play, they probably watched us in the first game and we needed to work around the defence,” he said. He added that while Jamaica had quality players, Nigeria’s game plan executed effectively led to the result. Looking ahead, Azeez has begun the process of acquiring a Nigerian passport to facilitate a potential cap-tie appearance for the Super Eagles in September. Although Millwall refused to release him for the upcoming friendlies against Poland and Portugal, Azeez remains open to future call-ups. “Of course. If he calls me up, that will be great but let’s see what happens,” he said, showing his continued commitment to the national team. His performances at the Unity Cup have already marked him as a promising new talent for Nigeria’s future.
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