Nigeria winger Chidera Ejuke was the star of the show as Royal Antwerp won their Belgian Championship Round clash away at Cercle Brugge.
The winger scored the only goal of the game in the 66th minute from Vincent Vossen’s assist as the former champions won by a lone goal.
Ejuke has enjoyed a rich vein of form since the start of the second round of the 2023/24 season as he has been instrumental to Antwerp's campaign to retain their title.
He started the game and lasted the full 90 minutes with 57 touches, a goal, and two successful take-ons at the Jan Breydel Stadium.
His compatriot at the club, Alhassan Yusuf, started the game from the bench but was introduced in the 80th minute for Eliot Matazo.
Ejuke's form a plus for Antwerp
Ejuke’s form will surely gladden the hearts of Antwerp’s fans as his dribbling skills and ability to thread passes have seen him become one of the best players at the club. He was even nominated for Player of the Month last month.
Ejuke also won the Goal of the Month for March as Antwerp qualified for the Championship Round play-offs.
The 26-year-old has played 26 games for Antwerp in the First Division A, starting 18 of those and scoring four goals whilst chipping in with four assists.
Antwerp's coach Mark Van Bommel will hope the Nigerian will continue to deliver for his side as the Championship Round enters Match-day 5.
As things stand, Antwerp are in fifth place on the six-team play-off table.
After four games, they’ve lost three and won just one – Sunday’s win against basement side Cercle Brugge.
Super Eagles recall might not be too far
Ejuke last played for Nigeria in a September 2022 friendly vs Algeria (2-1 loss) and he will be hoping his new form earns him a recall even though injuries and club instability kept him out, but he seems back on track now.
If he gets a call back to the Nigerian set-up, his creativity and vision might come in handy for the Super Eagles when the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers resume in June.
Nigeria are yet to name a coach for the Super Eagles after Portuguese manager Jose Peseiro quit at the end of the Africa Cup of Nations.
