It was a win for the Super Eagles of Nigeria, but not quite the performance Eric Chelle had in mind.

Nigeria edged past Zimbabwe 2-0 last night in the semi-final of the Unity Cup at the Valley, Charlton, London.

It was a game that featured a host of debutants, and in terms of getting the job done, they did just that.

It was a perfect start to life for Millwall forward Femi Azeez in Super Eagles colours.

Azeez scored a brace across both halves, an early opener in the sixth minute and a second just after the hour mark, a performance that left many Nigerians delighted.

Nigeria did not need long to make their first meaningful attack count.

Philip Otele, also on debut, tried to wriggle into the box but was checked just as space closed around him. The loose ball dropped kindly to Terem Moffi, who took a touch and slid it into the path of Azeez. From the edge of the area, he opened up his body and guided a low left-footed strike into the bottom corner.

Nigeria’s second arrived shortly after the hour mark, built on pace, space, and a familiar spark from Moffi. He burst down the left, dragging defenders with him before cutting the ball back at just the right moment. Azeez arrived to take over, keeping his composure to finish and double Nigeria’s lead.

The likes of Tosin Oyedokun, Aderemi Adeoye, Arthur Okonkwo, Rafiu Durosinmi, and Oputa Chibueze also made their debuts in the game.

Despite the win, Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle was not entirely pleased with the performance.

The Super Eagles had enough to get over the line, but not enough to satisfy a coach who wants control, intensity, and pressure for the full 90 minutes.

“My first objective to the players today was that I expected them to run a lot. Second was to maintain high pressure for 90 minutes. They did not,” Chelle said at the post match press conference. 

Chelle added that the team would go back, analyse the game in detail, and work on the issues identified.

Nigeria will face the winner of Jamaica or India on Saturday night in the final, as they look to defend the title won last year.