Azeez waits for first game as Onyeka returns to Coventry

Nigeria's Femi Azeez will have to hold on for his debut with Brighton and Hove Albion. The good news is that Frank Onyeka is back in action for the Super Eagles as he returns to Coventry City.

Azeez cannot play in Brighton’s Premier League match against Leeds United at the Amex Stadium on Saturday due to a hamstring injury. On the other hand, Onyeka has been cleared to play for Coventry in their trip to Manchester City after missing two games.

Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler said Azeez, who joined from Millwall on a four-year deal until June 2030, got injured on the first day of the Championship season before his transfer. He is still not fit to play.

“Femi is obviously carrying a slight injury at the moment. I think Chema can definitely be an option for tomorrow. With Femi, we have to wait this weekend and hopefully he will be available for the next game,” Hurzeler explained.

Hurzeler also spoke highly of what Azeez will bring to the team when he recovers.

“Femi, he’s a winger, he can score off the right or the left foot. He has really good decision-making in the final third. He’s a hard worker,” he said.

At Coventry, head coach Frank Lampard shared good news about Onyeka. He missed the Carabao Cup loss to Plymouth Argyle and the Premier League defeat to Hull City.

“He (Onyeka) is available for tomorrow. Ephron’s missed pre-season, Rudi is just back and there wasn’t our usual zip at the top,” Lampard said.

Onyeka has played only one Premier League game for Coventry this season. He started in the opening match against Arsenal, but he played an important part in the team’s promotion last season. He made 14 Championship appearances after joining on loan from Brentford in January before the move became permanent.

These updates will catch the attention of Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle. He is getting his team ready for this month’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau.

Azeez was a star at the 2026 Unity Cup, scoring twice in his debut against Zimbabwe and assisting in the final against Jamaica. If he plays in either qualifier, he will be cap-tied to Nigeria.

Onyeka’s return is a relief for Chelle, especially with injuries to Fisayo Dele-Bashiru and Tochukwu Nnadi affecting the midfield options.