2013 U-17 World Cup-winning coach Manu Garba has thrown his support behind Nigerian winger Chidera Ejuke, advocating for the talented player to be included in the Super Eagles squad.
Speaking in an interview with Bold Sports, Garba praised Ejuke’s exceptional offensive qualities and highlighted his ability to unlock even the toughest defenses.
“He is a good offensive player that can unlock the tightest of defenses, and it will be good for the Super Eagles if he is invited to fight for a place in the team. His creativity, the way he goes past opponents, and his ability to provide assists will be valuable to the Super Eagles’ attack,” Garba told Bold Sports.
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Ejuke, who recently moved to Sevilla during the summer transfer window, has been in blistering form since the start of the 2024/25 season. He currently leads the rankings for the most successful dribbles in Europe’s top five leagues, alongside Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal.
Both players have completed 23 dribbles, but Ejuke boasts a higher dribble success rate per 90 minutes, averaging 5.06 dribbles in 409 minutes, compared to Yamal’s 3.15 in 657 minutes. His creativity and ability to beat defenders have earned him a reputation as one of the most exciting wingers in La Liga this season.
Garba, who coached Ejuke during the 2018 Four Nations U-19 Invitational Tournament in Korea, recalled the winger’s outstanding performances alongside players such as Bukayo Saka, Jadon Sancho, Ovie Ejaria, and Dominic Solanke. Ejuke’s displays caught the attention of a Norwegian club, which invited him for trials—marking the beginning of his rise in European football.
“Chidera Ejuke is one of the players who has been overlooked, and he is the type of player who lets his game speak for him. He’s a silent achiever. He played for me in Korea in 2018, and he was one of the most outstanding players in a tournament that included England’s U-19 team with stars like Saka, Sancho, Ejaria, and Solanke,” Garba recalled.
From his impressive showings in Korea, Ejuke’s journey led him to Norway, where he continued his development, impressing with his skill and consistency. He has since made a name for himself across European football, playing in leagues in Norway, Russia, and now Spain, where his performances for Sevilla continue to attract attention.
With Ejuke’s dribbling prowess and playmaking abilities, Garba believes the 26-year-old deserves a chance to prove his worth on the national stage, where his style could inject creativity into the Super Eagles’ attacking play.
Super Eagles coach Austin Eguavoen is expected to name his squad for the AFCON qualifying doubleheader against Libya later this week.
