It is safe to say that everyone struggled playing for Hertha Berlin last season. The side from the German capital were relegated to the 2. Bundesliga after a dismal 2022/2023 campaign. One of those players was Chidera Ejuke, the 25-year-old Nigerian winger on loan from CSKA Moscow. This season, he is once again being loaned out by his parent club. After losing the likes of Calvin Stengs last season, Antwerp decided to bring Ejuke to Belgium in a hope that he would rediscover the form he had shown in Russia.
In last nights game against Barcelona, Ejuke was excellent. However, this was no flash in the pan performance from the wide man. Over his last three games he has looked like the player he was for CSKA, a great dribbler of the ball who loves to go at defenders and create chances for his teammates. Against OH Leuven at the start of December he was one of the best players on the pitch. He completed the most dribbles with five, created another five chances and deserved at least one assist for his play.
Against Cercle Brugge he once again completed the most dribbles in the match. This time he looked to score rather than create, taking five shots and finally being rewarded with a goal. He has given Antwerp greater balance on the flanks and his link up play with on loan Ajax defender Owen Wijndal is looking to be a huge problem for opponents. With Wijndal looking to overlap constantly, Ejuke is able to use his quality footwork to exploit the space this creates.
In just under 80 minutes against Barcelona in a dramatic 3-2 win for Antwerp Ejuke was once again at the top of his game. He completed an impressive nine of 11 dribbles, created the most chances with three and won the most duels in the match with 12. One fear for Antwerp may be that this recent upturn in form could see him earn a call up for the Nigerian squad to AFCON in January. It may have come too little too late, with his last Nigerian appearance being back in 2022.
After winning the title for the first time since 1957, the balance of European football and domestic football has been a struggle for the Great Old. With the win against Barcelona signaling the end of their European campaign, they can now fully focus on defending their title. With Ejuke in this sort of form, the side look good for a strong push to try and catch up with the likes of Anderlecht and Union St Gilloise.
GBeNeFNÂ |Â Ben Jackson
