Make an impact with your dribbling, Udeze urges Chidera
2002 African Cup of Nations bronze medal-winning fullback Ifeanyi Udeze has urged CSKA Moscow playmaker Chidera Ejuke to make more impact with his dribbles on the pitch as that is the only way he can become a top star.
Ejuke has caught the eyes of head coach Gernot Rohr recently, with the German tactician inviting the winger for each of the Super Eagles’ last four World Cup qualifying games.
The 23-year-old is yet to score or supply an assist for the national team. Still, he delivered an excellent performance as Nigeria defeated the Cape Verde Islands in Mindelo last month without many of the national team’s regular stars.
Rohr then preferred Ejuke to Kalu in his starting eleven on October 7, but the Super Eagles suffered an embarrassing 1-0 defeat to the Central African Republic.
In the return fixture, in which Nigeria won 2-0 in Cameroon, thanks to goals from Leon Balogun and Victor Osimhen, Ejuke stole the show and the hearts of many fans with his tricks and dribbles after coming off the bench in the second half.
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However, Rohr’s side could have won by more goals if the former Heerenveen lad had passed to Osimhen instead of over-dribbling.
Udeze has watched the youngster’s influence in the national team increase with each passing match, and the former Nigerian international admits the dribbling wizard is a gifted footballer.
However, the ex-PAOK Thessaloniki ace has urged Ejuke to master when to dribble and pass to teammates.
“Ejuke is a very good player and has shown that in the games he has played for the Eagles,” Udeze said on Brila FM’s Breakfast Show on Thursday.
“But I think he over-dribbles a lot. He should know when to dribble and when to pass the ball. He’s a good player, and I wish him all the best.”
Ejuke has scored two goals and made two assists in 10 league appearances for CSKA Moscow this season. The youngster is the best dribbler in the Russian Premier League and was recently named his club’s Player of the Month for September.