Ekene battles Akpoguma for Hoffenheim goal of the month award

The two players of Nigerian descent have had contrasting fortunes for the Getman side this year but could end the season on a high with a unique individual honour

Super Eagles defender Kevin Akpoguma and Nigeria-eligible youngster Chinedu Ekene are among the five Hoffenheim stars gunning for the club's player of the month award.

The others are Fabienne Dongus, Ihlas Bebou, and star forward Andrej Kramarić.

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The first half of 2021 has not gone as Akpoguma would have hoped for, with the versatile defender spending the first four months of the year on and off the treatment table nursing a thigh muscle strain.

But the 26-year-old returned in May to send a stunning strike into the net – his first-ever Bundesliga goal – in Hoffenheim's 4-2 defeat of Schalke 04.

While Akpoguma struggled with his health, Hoffenheim II forward Ekene was painting the Regionalliga red with goals.

The 21-year-old found the back of the net 11 times in 32 league matches to show top officials of the German club that he is ready to be promoted to the senior team.

The striker's brilliant effort to open the scoring for the U23s at Eintracht Stadtallendorf particularly caught the eye and has earned a nomination for the top award. 

The winner will be announced after voting ends on Sunday, May 30th.