Eguavoen hands Ejuke number 10 jersey with a mandate to provide the Eagles with creativity

INTERIM Super Eagles manager Augustine Eguavoen has handed CSKA Moscow winger Chidera Ejuke Nigeria's number 10 jersey with the view of making him the team's playmaker at the forthcoming African Cup of Nations.

Ejuke, 24, has gradually worked his way into the team with several recent impressive performances and is now considered a vital part of the attack with his creativity. This Sunday, the 33rd African Nations Cup begins in Cameroon and on Tuesday, Nigeria gets her campaign going when the Eagles face the Pharaohs of Egypt in their opener.

With creativity likely to be vital in the tournament, especially as Nigeria is missing several key players upfront, Mr Eguavoen is looking to Ejuke to provide the necessary spark in front of goal. Ejuke, one of the 13 debutants in the Eagles squad for the tournament, has been outstanding for his Russian club this season, scoring four goals and providing two assists in 13 games for CSKA so far this season.

Ejuke is also ranked the third best dribbler in the world, according to CIES Observatory’s latest rankings. According to Eguavoen, this can help solve the team’s lack of creativity in midfield.

Eguavoen said: “The creative role is where the team has been lacking. Of late, we have found Chidera  but if it is not working, we may have to change our tactics and be flexible in the way we play.”

Nigeria's Super Eagles will face Egypt's Pharaoh's on January 11, then Sudan's Falcons of Jediane on January 14. Their final group game is against debutants Guinea Bissau's Djurtus on January 19.