Nigeria face Femi Azeez fitness concern before September break

Nigeria’s preparations for the September international break have been hit by uncertainty over Femi Azeez, who went off with a hamstring problem during Millwall’s 2-0 Championship win at Bristol City. The winger was withdrawn after 30 minutes and replaced by Kyrell Lisbie.

Azeez felt discomfort in the hamstring before leaving the match. Millwall manager Alex Neil said the club would need further assessment before establishing the extent of the injury, leaving his availability for Nigeria unclear.

Neil indicated that the early signs were not necessarily serious but avoided making a firm judgment. He also noted that some previous concerns involving Millwall players had later proved more significant than first expected. Azeez remains an important player for the club, having become a key contributor to the side.

The timing is particularly difficult for Azeez after a standout 2025/26 campaign. He scored 11 goals and supplied seven assists in 37 league appearances, performances that earned him a place in the Championship Team of the Season.

Those displays also led to his first Nigeria call-up. Azeez then made an immediate contribution for the Super Eagles at the 2026 Unity Cup, scoring twice against Zimbabwe before setting up a goal in Nigeria’s 3-0 final victory over Jamaica.

Nigeria will now wait for the outcome of Millwall’s assessment before knowing whether Azeez can join the squad in September. The winger has also been linked with interest from Hull City and is aiming for a move to the Premier League, but his immediate focus is determining the seriousness of the hamstring issue.