Chidera Ejuke sets sights on 2026 World Cup with Nigeria, aiming to overcome injury setback and help Super Eagles qualify
[dropcap]C[/dropcap]hidera Ejuke, the talented winger currently playing for Sevilla, has his eyes firmly set on helping the Nigerian National Team qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
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The 27-year-old, who made his debut for Nigeria in 2020 during his time at Russian club CSKA Moscow, is eager to secure his place in the Super Eagles squad, despite a challenging start to his international career.
Ejuke, who has earned eight caps for Nigeria, is still searching for his first goal or assist for the national team.
His most recent appearance in the green and white jersey came during the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), where he played a role in the Super Eagles’ 2-0 victory over Guinea Bissau.
Since then, however, Ejuke’s involvement with Nigeria has been limited.
In October 2024, Ejuke suffered a high-grade hamstring tear during Sevilla’s heavy 5-1 defeat to Barcelona.
The injury sidelined him for a lengthy period, but he made his return to action last Saturday, coming on for just eight minutes in Sevilla’s 1-0 win against Girona.
Despite this setback, Ejuke is determined to make an impact for both his club and country. In a recent interview with El Correo, the winger shared his ambitions for the 2026 World Cup:
“The national team means a lot because, as a player, you always want to represent your country. Playing in a World Cup would be very special, and I hope I can do it with the team,” he said.
Nigeria’s road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup has been tough so far. Currently sitting in 5th place in their qualifying group, the Super Eagles have yet to secure a win.
However, Ejuke’s commitment to the cause is clear, as he aims to play a key role in turning Nigeria’s fortunes around.
The Super Eagles will continue their World Cup qualifying campaign in March 2025, with crucial matches against Rwanda on March 19th and Zimbabwe on March 22nd.
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These fixtures are vital for Nigeria’s hopes of securing a spot in the global tournament, and Ejuke will be hoping to contribute to the team’s success.
Quadri Olaitan is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, public affairs, and human-interest stories.
