“Dreams turn reality” – Super Eagles star speaks after making Nigeria debut vs Zimbabwe

Enugu Rangers defender Chibueze Oputa says he is proud to have fulfilled a lifelong dream after making his senior debut for Nigeria in the Super Eagles’ 2-0 win over Zimbabwe at the Unity Cup in London, Afrik-Foot reports.

The right-back was handed his first international appearance by Nigeria coach Eric Chelle during Tuesday’s semi-final clash at The Valley Stadium. It was a night built around fresh faces and new opportunities as the Super Eagles fielded an experimental side packed with home-based stars and dual-nationality players.

Oputa started at right-back and produced a composed display in front of the London crowd. The Rangers defender stayed disciplined defensively, made important interceptions and helped Nigeria keep a clean sheet against a lively Zimbabwe side.

Nigeria eventually sealed victory thanks to a brilliant brace from fellow debutant Femi Azeez, with the result sending the Super Eagles into Saturday’s Unity Cup final.

After the match, Oputa took to social media to reflect on the special occasion.

He wrote, “National team debut. Dreams turn into reality with hard work and faith. Proud moment wearing the national colors for the first time. Grateful for the journey and ready for more.”

The debut capped a remarkable week for the defender, who only days earlier helped Enugu Rangers win the 2025-26 Nigeria Premier Football League title.

Oputa: Painful Super Eagles sacrifice could end with dream double

Oputa’s call-up to the national team came after an impressive campaign with Rangers, where he made 29 league appearances and contributed six assists during the club’s title-winning season.

However, representing Nigeria in London came at a personal cost. The defender missed Rangers’ dramatic 2-1 victory over Ikorodu City at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos on the final day of the NPFL season. That victory secured Rangers’ ninth league crown and confirmed them as champions of Nigeria for a record-equalling ninth time.

While his teammates celebrated with the trophy in Lagos, Oputa was already in the Super Eagles camp preparing for the Unity Cup. Despite missing the celebrations, the opportunity to represent Nigeria proved too important for the defender to turn down.

His invitation forms part of Eric Chelle’s wider rebuilding project ahead of the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. Alongside Oputa, players such as Arthur Okonkwo, Kenneth Igboke and Femi Azeez were also given opportunities to impress in the new-look squad.

Now, Oputa stands on the verge of completing a memorable domestic and international double within six days.

Nigeria will return to The Valley Stadium on Saturday, May 30, 2026, for the Unity Cup final, where they will face Jamaica after the Reggae Boyz defeated India in the other semi-final.

The Super Eagles enter the final as defending champions after winning last year’s edition of the tournament in Brentford. Victory on Saturday would hand Oputa his first international trophy less than a week after lifting the NPFL title with Rangers.