Brighton & Hove Albion have included Nigerian duo Zadok Yohanna and Femi Azeez in their registered squad for the UEFA Europa Conference League group stage, handing both players a major opportunity to make their mark in European football.
Sports247 reports that Yohanna and Azeez were included following their respective summer moves to the Premier League club. Yohanna joined Brighton from Swedish side AIK, while Azeez arrived from Millwall, with both Nigerians now set to experience European club competition for the first time.
The inclusion represents an important milestone in the careers of the two players, who will now have the opportunity to feature on the continental stage while competing for a place in Brighton’s first-team setup.
However, Brighton head coach Fabian Hürzeler has made a notable decision regarding two of the club’s established wide players. Japanese winger Kaoru Mitoma and Gambian international Yankuba Minteh have been left out of the group-stage squad as they continue their recovery and work towards regaining full fitness.
The pair could reportedly be added to Brighton’s European squad at a later stage, depending on their fitness and the club’s squad-management options.
Nigerians in Brighton’s European Squad
Zadok Yohanna — signed from AIK
Femi Azeez — signed from Millwall
Brighton are scheduled to open their European campaign at home against FK Kauno Žalgiris, before travelling for fixtures in the Czech Republic, Spain and Greece.
For Yohanna and Azeez, the European adventure represents more than another chapter at Brighton. It is an opportunity to announce themselves on a bigger stage and further strengthen the growing presence of Nigerian players in European club football.
With both players now part of Brighton’s continental plans, Nigerian football fans will be watching closely to see whether the duo can translate their domestic form into memorable European performances.
