FC Cincinnati manager Patrick Noonan has lauded Chidozie Awaziem following the defender’s outstanding debut on Friday.

Awaziem, who recently left Portugal’s Boavista, made an immediate impact in Cincinnati’s 1-0 triumph over Querétaro in the Leagues Cup, despite limited training with the team due to visa and work permit constraints.

Playing as one of the back-three centre-backs, Awaziem delivered a stellar performance, playing all 90 minutes and significantly contributing to the team’s clean sheet impressing the coach.

“The plan was not for him to go 90,” Noonan told the Cincinnati official website.

“(We were going to) see where we’re at at halftime and I thought because of the way the first 45 was played, that he could carry on.

“He was going to be honest with us about how he was feeling as the second half progressed.

“And I thought that the way he controlled his running, the way we were able to control the tempo with the ball at times, didn’t consistently put our back line in spots where they had to defend the space, he managed it for himself in the game in a good way.”

The 27-year-old Awaziem also expressed his satisfaction with both his performance and the team’s victory, which ended a three-game losing streak.

“It feels amazing. It feels great to be part of this wonderful club. I feel so excited to be here and to get a win in my debut. I’m excited and happy that we came out with the three points,” Awaziem said.

“Honestly, I didn’t feel there was any need for me to go out because I wanted to help the team more. I was feeling good, so I felt that there was no point going out to the bench.”