 Udeze first came into international limelight at the inaugural UEFA-CAF Meridian Cup held in Portugal in 1997, a tournament where Spain's Xavi Hernandez and Portugal's Simao made their mark.He was a member of the Fanny Amun-led Nigerian squad that beat Spain 3–2 to win the tournament.Some members of the squad included Rabiu Afolabi, Joseph Enakarhire, Bright Igbinadolor, Chijioke Nwankpa, Hashimu Garba, and Mohammed Aliyu Datti.