Super Eagles centreback Chidozie Awaziem joins Turkish side Caykur Rizespor on loan

SUPER Eagles centreback Chidozie Awaziem has joined Turkish first division side Caykur Rizespor after failing to make his mark in the first team of Portuguese side FC Porto despite a successful time on loan to Nantes of France last season.

Awaziem, 22, had agreed to join Trabzonspor on loan but the transfer ban slammed on the club by Fifa stopped the move. Following this development, Awaziem opted to move to another Turkish club in the hope that he will see  regular first team action over the rest of the season.

He will be hoping that getting game time will help his case of making the Super Eagles squad ahead of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt this summer. A member of the 2018 World Cup squad, Awaziem was hoping to make his mark in the team of Porto this season after assurances by coach Sergio Conceicao but the signing of experienced Portuguese defender Pepe means he is now further down the pecking order at the club.

Awaziem was first called up by Nigeria for friendlies against Mali and Luxembourg, on May 27 and 31 2016, making his senior debut on June 1 2017, starting in a 3–0 win over Togo in Paris. Born in Enugu, Awaziem joined Porto in 2014, where he spent his last year as a junior and won the corresponding league title before being loaned out to Nantes.