After three months sidelined by a knee injury, Super Eagles winger Chidera Ejuke made his long-awaited return, featuring in Sevilla’s dramatic 2-1 victory over Girona on Saturday.
Ejuke’s brief cameo offered glimpses of promise as the 27-year-old eases back into action for a Sevilla side desperate for attacking reinforcements.
Girona opened the scoring nine minutes before halftime through Arnau Martinez, leaving Sevilla chasing the game after the break. However, the Andalusians responded emphatically, with Saul Niguez leveling the score before turning provider for Dodi Lukebakio’s 88th-minute winner.
Ejuke, introduced in the 82nd minute for Isaac Romero, played limited minutes but showed flashes of sharpness in his return.
Modest contributions, major expectations for Ejuke
In his eight minutes on the pitch, Ejuke completed three of five passes (60% accuracy), won one ground duel, and recorded 12 touches.
While he didn’t register a shot or key pass, the Nigerian winger’s brief stint hinted at the qualities that Sevilla fans have missed, his ability to stretch defenses with pace and technical skill.
Signed by sporting director Víctor Orta to fill the void left by Erik Lamela, Ejuke has featured in 10 matches this season, averaging 55 minutes per game. While his single goal from an xG of 0.67 underscores his modest scoring contribution, his creative metrics highlight his value.
Ejuke averages 44.1 touches per game, with 83% passing accuracy overall and 78% in the opposition half. Despite no assists yet, he creates 1.6 key passes per game and has delivered one big chance this season.
His return is a welcome boost for García Pimienta’s side, adding depth and versatility. As the winger regains match fitness, his dribbling flair and creativity will be crucial in revitalizing Sevilla’s inconsistent attack.
