The Super Eagles of Nigeria have qualified for the final of the 2026 Unity Cup following a 2-0 victory over Zimbabwe on Tuesday, Soccernet.ng reports.
Playing inside a scanty-looking Valley Stadium, Nigeria locked horns with Zimbabwe in the opening match of the four-nation Unity Cup.
With head coach Éric Chelle opting to hand opportunities to several non-regulars, it was no surprise to see an unfamiliar starting XI. Chelle handed international debuts to Arthur Okonkwo, Obinna Igboke, Chibueze Oputa, and Millwall star Femi Azeez. Nonetheless, the Super Eagles entered the clash as slight favorites to clinch the win.
Nigeria looked the better side from the opening whistle and took just five minutes to break the deadlock. It was the debutant, Azeez, who immediately showed what he is made of.
The three-time African champions worked the ball forward during a fluid attack, where Terem Moffi, under pressure from a defender, managed to hold up play and lay the ball off to Azeez on the edge of the box. Instead of looking for another pass, the Millwall winger took responsibility, striking a wicked, low shot into the bottom-left corner of the Zimbabwean net to make it 1-0.
The early breakthrough calmed Nigerian nerves, allowing the Super Eagles to dictate the tempo of the match.
The midfield battle remained intense, with the likes of Marvelous Nakamba and Jonah Fabisch providing genuine quality for Zimbabwe in the center of the park. However, the Nigerian trio of Alhassan Yusuf, Tochukwu Nnadi, and Samson Tijani held their own; despite playing together for the first time, their chemistry was remarkably seamless.
Following the opening goal, clear-cut opportunities were hard to come by. There were a few half-chances, but neither side was clinical enough to capitalize. Philip Otele did have a golden opportunity late in the first half following a fluid interchange of passes with Igboke and Tijani.
He got one-in-one-one with the goalkeeper, Otele failed to convert from close range as his effort was blocked by the keeper. Consequently, Nigeria took a narrow 1-0 lead into the break.
Super Eagles' Second Goal
The opening exchanges of the second half were somewhat drab, with both teams struggling to assert authority. However, in the 63rd minute, Nigeria doubled their advantage, and it was that man Azeez once again.
The Super Eagles launched a swift counterattack down the left wing through Terem Moffi. Shielding off his marker, Moffi drove to the byline and floated a cross into the box, allowing Azeez to simply poke the ball home to make it 2-0.
From there, Zimbabwe rarely threatened and failed to create any meaningful chances. Nigeria, on the other hand, sat back comfortably, content to catch their opponents on the break. The Warriors did mount a few late attacks, but they lacked the cutting edge required to breach the solid Nigerian backline.
Ultimately, it ended 2-0 in Nigeria's favor. With this victory, the Super Eagles advance to the final of the Unity Cup, where they will face the winner of the match between India and Jamaica.
