Azeez and Yohanna Need More Time to Settle, Says Hürzeler

Brighton manager Fabian Hürzeler has said Nigerian forwards Femi Azeez and Zadok Yohanna need more time to adjust to the club's demands. He added that their situation is not a big worry, according to PUNCH Sports Extra.

Hürzeler spoke to reporters on Wednesday, just before Brighton’s UEFA Conference League match against Kauno Žalgiris at the Amex Stadium. Both players were selected for Nigeria’s 2026 Unity Cup squad, but the club did not allow them to join.

Azeez, 25, has not played competitively yet due to fitness issues. He likely will not play against the Lithuanian team after he missed training on Wednesday.

Yohanna has come on as a substitute in three matches. Neither player was fully fit for Brighton’s first game after the international break, as both were still recovering from injuries.

Hürzeler downplayed the situation, saying, "No big issue. I think we talked about it at the last press conference, where some players need more time to adapt to the intensity."

He compared both players' situations, saying the club wants to give them enough time to settle in. "It is a little bit similar to Zadok, in that we try to give them the environment where they can adapt to our demands, to how we want to play. Therefore, these kinds of players might need a little bit longer, but overall, there is not a big issue, something I can report to you," he explained.

Hürzeler added, "It is just a thing of adapting, and let us see how fast he will adapt. I am sure he will make his debut for us quite soon."

Azeez and Yohanna missed the Super Eagles’ three matches in the first international break of the season while they continued their rehabilitation.