Ejuke started only one game for the Super Eagles at AFCON. The CSKA Moscow winger is looking ahead to a more prominent role as the Super Eagles take on Ghana next month.
The Africa Cup of Nations is over, and Nigeria has resolved its coaching issues with Emmanuel Amuneke announced as coach of the Super Eagles. It is time to get down to business as the Super Eagles of Nigeria have a crucial tie coming up next month.
Nigeria will play against Ghana in the final round of the FIFA World Cup qualifier. The two West African countries are jostling for one of the five tickets to the World Cup in Qatar later this year.
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) have not been slouching either. Following the dismal performance of the Black Stars in Cameroon, the GFA got down to reorganising things and announced a new coach and Technical Adviser. Otto Addo is the new Black Stars coach, while former Norwich City and Brighton and Hove Albion manager Chris Houghton is the Technical Adviser.
The ground is set for a titanic battle between two rivals, and every hand is on deck to ensure success. One player who didn’t feature much at the AFCON is calling on the new management of the Super Eagles to give him more playing time. Chidera Ejuke has sent a let me play plea to Augustine Eguavoen and Emmanuel Amneke ahead of the tie against the Black Stars of Ghana next month.
Ejuke pleads for playing time
Chidera Ejuke was part of the Super Eagles to the AFCON, but he featured in only two games. The CSKA Moscow dribbling sensation has called on Augustine Eguavoen ahead of the crucial 2022 World Cup playoff matches against fierce rivals Ghana to let him play. Ejuke wants another opportunity with the Super Eagles to show his mettle.
Ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations, Eguavoen was full of praises for Ejuke, giving rise to insinuations that he would be part of the starting eleven. The winger ended up on the bench and started just a game. Ejuke started the dead-rubber clash against the Djurtus of Guinea-Bissau.
The Super Eagles crashed out of the tournament in the second round against the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia. The 1-0 loss was painful as the Tunisians were rudderless on their way to the second round. Ejuke was a surprise omission from the matchday squad. It was a decision that later haunted Eguavoen as the game was begging for a creative player to unlock the Tunisian defence.
Ejuke has now pleaded with Eguavoen for a chance against Ghana in the doubleheader next month.
Satisfied with his AFCON experience
Ejuke wants a more prominent role in the Super Eagles. The wing wizard believes he has more to offer
Speaking with Sport 24, Ejuke described his time with the Super Eagles at AFCON as a great experience. According to him, it was his first tournament with the Super Eagles, and he enjoyed the experience. The CSKA Moscow winger wants to repeat the experience.
He said the coaching staff didn’t give him much time as he started just a game, but he would like to play more. For Ejuke, it wasn’t a bad experience for a first-timer, and next time he would be better prepared for the national team.
This article was most recently revised and updated 3 years ago
