Femi Azeez: Why Super Eagles winger will not make Brighton debut vs Getafe

Super Eagles winger Femi Azeez will have to wait longer for his Brighton & Hove Albion debut after being ruled out of today’s UEFA Conference League meeting with Getafe.

The Seagulls confirmed the 25-year-old’s absence in their match preview after head coach Fabian Hürzeler revealed that Azeez had not travelled with the squad to Spain.

The Nigerian is one of three players unavailable for the fixture, alongside Ferdi Kadioglu and Pascal Struijk.

Speaking ahead of the game, Hürzeler explained that the club was not resting players but dealing with those who were not fit enough to feature in the trip to Spain.

“We left no one at home for a rest, but a few players had to stay home because they’re not available for tomorrow,” the German coach said in quotes revealed by Brighton’s official website.

“So Ferdy won’t be available, Struijk won’t be available, and also Femi is still not available.”

Hürzeler provides positive update on Azeez’s recovery

Although Azeez will miss the trip to Getafe, there was some encouragement in the Brighton manager’s assessment of his condition.

“They’re getting closer, especially Femi,” Hürzeler added.

The coach did not provide a specific return date for the winger, but his comments suggest that the former Millwall winger is making progress towards a return to action; meanwhile, Zadok Yohanna is already back in training.

Azeez’s absence is another setback after his summer move to Brighton was expected to provide him with an opportunity to establish himself in the Premier League.

The Nigerian joined the Seagulls from Millwall on September 2, signing a four-year contract after an impressive 2025/26 campaign in the Championship.

He scored 11 goals and provided seven assists in 37 league appearances, helping Millwall reach the play-offs and earning a place in the Championship Team of the Season.

What Femi Azeez’s absence means for his Brighton debut

Azeez’s delayed start is also significant for Nigeria, having made an immediate impression on the international stage earlier this year.

The winger scored both goals on his debut in Nigeria’s 2-0 victory over Zimbabwe in the 2026 Unity Cup before providing an assist in the Super Eagles’ subsequent 3-0 win against Jamaica.

His performances raised expectations ahead of his move to Brighton, but his fitness problems have prevented him from carrying that momentum into club football.

The Getafe fixture would have offered another opportunity to take a step towards establishing himself under Hürzeler, but he must now continue his recovery away from the matchday squad.

Brighton’s next fixture is a Premier League meeting with Brentford on Sunday, November 8. However, the club has not confirmed whether Azeez will be ready for that game.

For now, the positive indication is that the Nigerian is getting closer to returning, even if his wait for a competitive Brighton appearance continues.