He was only useful for 25 minutes: Sevilla coach downplays Super Eagles star’s MVP award in test match

Nigerian international winger Chidera Ejuke presented himself to the club’s fans at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán by winning the man of the match award in the Antonio Puerta Trophy pre-season tournament.

Sevilla defeated Saudi Arabia’s Al Ittihad 1-0 in the pre-season match organised in honour of the late Spanish footballer Antonio Puerta. It was Ejuke’s first game in front of the team’s home fans after signing from Belgian side Antwerp.

Ejuke started the match and showed his skills on the ball, easily beating his markers. He had the opposing team’s defenders on the defensive for the duration of his time on the field.

At the end of the match he was voted most valuable player, but Sevilla coach Garcia Pimienta said he has the potential to be a great player if he can be consistent over a longer duration of the match.

“Ejuke can be a great player, we wanted him with us. But you can’t be good for just 25 good minutes. He’s a player who has to be a difference-maker and can reach even greater heights due to his age,” he said when commenting on the award received by the 26-year-old.

Mohamed Suleiman Yusuf