The ex-West Brom defender has been left impressed with one of the national team's latest kids on the block, but he has urged the youngster to improve his decision making
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, 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.
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.
That guy will be a great player as time goes on at times you need players like this who can go solo take on defenders very fast when it matters a lot , etebo used to be a soloist too just like ejuke when he played for the u23 Olympics team and this was why he was invited to the super eagles. These are fearless players who has the confidence and ability to hold the ball and take on defenders I like him a lot he is a fantastic player just like okocha , though he needs the team to succeed football game is a team work he needs to give passes to players who are better positioned than him just like what happened against c a r in Duala osimhen was better placed than him probably he didn’t look up to see if osimhen was better placed than him that’s football anxiety for you , all the same he is a brilliant player.
Reminds me of CR7 when he came to United as a teen sensation. He will fine tune his rhythm.
At this point in time he needs the coach to impress it upon him that he should always look up and pass the ball to better placed teammates so as to increase his assist rate. He should work on his free kicks. Try to watch okochas videos and emulate his attributes. The guy can be a very top player. He still has lots to learn. I wish him all the best.