WATCH: Super Eagles winger Chidera Ejuke outshines Karim Benzema as Sevilla lift first trophy of the season
Chidera Ejuke continued to warm himself into the hearts of Sevilla fans worldwide after impressing as the club won their first honour of the season, Soccernet.ng reports.
The Nigerian playmaker received a round of applause for his contributions as Sevilla defeated Karim Benzema’s Al-Ittihad to win the 13th edition of the Trofeo Antonio Puerta on Friday night.
📸 #TrofeoAntonioPuerta 🏆 pic.twitter.com/2E469kuVmZ
— Sevilla FC (@SevillaFC_ENG) July 26, 2024
Lucas Ocampos’ well-struck first-half penalty handed Sevilla a 1-0 victory at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán Stadium.
Benzema had the chance to give Al-Ittihad the lead earlier in the encounter but the former Real Madrid striker fired wide from the penalty spot.
Super Eagles winger Ejuke was named the Man of the Match following his impressive displays and dribbles that made fans clap for him when he was substituted in the second half.
🎖️ Man of the match in the #TrofeoAntonioPuerta 👏🏻
Men mount 🇳🇬🔥 pic.twitter.com/2TxVgfyc8s
— Sevilla FC (@SevillaFC_ENG) July 26, 2024
Ejuke came close to getting on the score sheet for Sevilla but his curled shot was deflected allowing the goalkeeper to make an easy save.
The 25-year-old star only joined Sevilla this month as a free agent after ending his four association with Russian side CSKA Moscow. He spent the last two seasons on loan at Hertha Berlin and Royal Antwerp after he left Moscow following the breakout of the Russia-Ukraine war.
Despite Ejuke’s contributions, new Sevilla coach Xavi García Pimienta reveals he would be demanding much more from the Nigerian attacker as he can give more.
“Ejuke has a profile that we need on the wing,” Piementa told the club’s official website.
“Unbalancing, with one on one, I think he has done a very good second half, but not so good the first. He must continue to improve, he is a great player and he must be a differential player because he has the level for it.”
Ejuke and Sevilla will continue their pre-season preparations when they face Japanese club Consadole Sapporo inside the Sapporo Dome on July 30th.
