AFCON 2021: “It’s a strange situation”- Super Eagles star expresses disappointment after being left out of Tunisia clash

There were a lot of expectations from the talented Super Eagles forward, but it all amounted to nought, as he was in a helpless situation 

Super Eagles star Chidera Ejuke has expressed his disappointment after he was left out of the matchday squad in Nigeria’s painful 1-0 loss to Tunisia at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.

A lot of Nigerians had huge expectations from the CSKA Moscow dribbling wizard. He was expected to take Cameroon by storm with his outstanding skills.

However, the opposite was the case, as the former Heerenveen star was reduced to a peripheral role in the squad. Ejuke was a late substitute in Nigeria’s first game against Egypt, and he played 57 minutes in the 2-0 victory over Guinea-Bissau. But surprisingly, he was omitted from the matchday squad in Nigeria’s final game against Tunisia.

Nevertheless, it was a decision that Super Eagles interim boss Augustine Eguavoen later wished he did not make.

On his end, Ejuke feels he deserved better, but he still respects his boss’s decision.

“None at all. But I was not included in the lineup for the game, and I was very surprised by this,” Ejuke said via the CSKA Moscow website.

“No one explained anything, there was no conversation with the coaches. OK, I understand that not everyone can get into the lineup, but I was one hundred percent sure that I would be there. It’s a strange situation, I just had to accept it, that’s the coach’s decision.

Nonetheless, Ejuke will get another opportunity to prove his mettle when Nigeria trade tackles with Ghana in the World Cup qualifiers in March.