Nigeria winger Chidera Ejuke has been rewarded for his outstanding performances this season for Royal Antwerp in March as he has been awarded the Player of the Month Gong at his club.
The supposed heir to Austin Jay Jay Okocha has also been nominated for Goal of the Month award.
Ejuke has rediscovered his form this season with some impressive displays for the Belgian side both in the league and in the UEFA Champions League before they were eliminated.
The 26-year-old has been on the mend for some time, and even though he showed flashes of brilliance at Hertha Berlin in Germany, his move to Belgium seems to have done him a world of good.
Although it took him time to settle in Antwerp, Ejuke now commands a regular shirt at the Belgian champions and has churned in some impressive displays.
He has played every minute in Antwerp's last three games to get the nod for nomination for the club's Player of the Month award.
Ejuke is Player of the Month, gets Goal of the Month nomination
Ejuke was unarguably Antwerp’s best player in March with his enterprising play and general contribution to his team.
He’s been one of the leaders of the team of recent after tying down a starters shirt at the club. His goal contributions and assists have not gone unnoticed with the Player of the Month award at Antwerp.
For the Goal of the Month, the Nigerian has also been nominated alongside Swedish star Jakob Ondrejka who got two nominations, George Ilenikhena, and Gyrano Kerk. Ejuke got two assists among the five goals nominated to buttress how influential he has become in the team.
The Nigerian's goal that was nominated for the Goal of the Month was a smart finish by the Nigerian who firmly placed the ball at the back of the net after a mazy run by teammate Mandela Keita in the 2-0 win over Sint-Truidense VV.
Ejuke this season with Antwerp
The winger has fought his way to the starting line-up at Antwerp and has racked up games that show he is fully back to his best.
In the Jupiler League, he has played 21 times while scoring three goals and contributing four assists. Ejuke also played four games in the UEFA Champions League this season.
He played against FC Porto (twice), then a 1-0 loss at Shakhtar, and was part of the Antwerp team that won that famous game against Barcelona in front of their home fans.
It was a 3-2 win for the team in what many described as the best result in the club's history.
Super Eagles return for Ejuke?
The last time Ejuke featured for the Super Eagles was in September 2022 in the 2-1 loss to Algeria in an international friendly.
Since then, he has had injury issues and lack of club stability, but that seems to be in the past.
Touted by many as Jay-Jay Okocha's heir apparent because of his technical skills, it might not be out of place to suggest his newfound form might be a ringer for national selectors.
At the Nations Cup and the recent international friendlies, it was apparent the Eagles needed a bit of creativity to unlock stubborn defenses.
If Ejuke carries on this way, a recall to the international setup for the World Cup qualifiers against South Africa and Benin might just be on the horizon for the winger to add to his eight caps for the Super Eagles.
