Nigeria’s date with destiny arrives on Sunday night in Rabat, where the Super Eagles meet DR Congo in the final of the FIFA World Cup African play-off.
Win, and the three-time African champions advance to next year’s intercontinental playoff. Lose, and a nation will feel the sting for years.
The expectations are sky-high. The tension is volcanic. And somewhere in the middle of Eric Chelle’s tactical whiteboard sits one name in thick black marker: Chidozie Awaziem.
The FC Nantes defender has spent the early part of the 2025-26 season mixing elegance with ferocity in Ligue 1, quietly becoming one of the most complete Nigerian centre-backs in Europe. It is the form that has earned him a recall to the national team after months of being snubbed.
Now, as Nigeria prepare for the most important 90 minutes of their qualification journey, Awaziem may just be the man forcing Chelle into the toughest defensive selection headache in Morocco.
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Nigeria vs DR Congo: The playoff final
Kick-off is set for 20:00 in Rabat, with Sebastien Desabre’s Leopards standing between Nigeria and a potential World Cup slot.
Just a few days ago, Nigeria looked assured in their 4–1 extra-time win over Gabon, controlling the defensive transitions with surprising composure.
Head coach Eric Chelle paraded a back four of Bright Osayi-Samuel, Benjamin Fredrick, Calvin Bassey, and Zaidu Sanusi for that encounter. They conceded few clear chances and generally looked like four men operating on the same mental frequency.
Usually in top-level football, coaches cling to defensive stability like oxygen. Chelle knows this. But he also knows football rarely rewards timidity, and he now has two returning disruptors knocking loudly on the door: Semi Ajayi and Chidozie Awaziem.
Super Eagles’ defensive puzzle: Who starts?
Ajayi was suspended for the Gabon match, but with his ban served, the Hull City defender is eligible again. He brings English Championship steel, set-piece presence, and invaluable experience. His return creates the tempting possibility of shifting the brilliant young Fredrick to right-back.
But the biggest curveball, the defensive wildcard in Chelle’s pocket is Chidozie Awaziem.
Against Gabon, he entered in the 109th minute for Alex Iwobi, slotted in at right-back, and within one minute delivered the assist for Victor Osimhen’s second – and Nigeria’s fourth – goal. It was the cameo of a man who arrived with a message: I’m not here just to make up the numbers.
After the match, Awaziem told Sporty TV with his trademark calm:
“I wasn’t scared at all because we had so many chances… I was confident enough that we were going to get the second goal. And we got the second, the third and then the fourth. It was amazing teamwork… I’m happy with my assist. It feels good. It’s for the team.”
Awaziem: Quietly one of Ligue 1’s best this season
The numbers do not flatter him. They honour him.
According to data published by @DTFootball_ via Tribunais Nantes, Awaziem ranks 7th among all centre-backs in Ligue 1 for progressive passes completed; 69 in 12 matchdays. Only defenders from PSG, Lyon, Lille, Rennes, Toulouse and Strasbourg sit ahead of him.
But the real gem lies in efficiency: 5.27 progressive passes per 90 minutes with a 67% success rate, impressive given the inherent risk of such passes.
Defensively, Awaziem has been colossal for Nantes. Even in a team making the kind of chaotic errors that make coaches age rapidly, Awaziem has remained unflustered; leading all defenders in Ligue 1 in clearances this season with 85.
At 29, he has returned to Nantes with the job of replacing giants like Pallois and Castelletto and so far, he has delivered leadership, reliability, and a touch of swagger.
Awaziem: Has he done enough to start on Sunday?
If football were a pure meritocracy, based solely on club form and statistical excellence, Awaziem starts.
But football is also chemistry, rhythm, familiarity. Chelle must choose between rewarding performance or retaining cohesion. The choice will influence Nigeria’s World Cup destiny.
One thing is undeniable: Chidozie Awaziem is playing the best football of his career. And on Sunday night, Nigeria may need precisely that.