“I fought my way back” – Super Eagles striker delighted to return from 20-month injury layoff

Two Nigerian stars featured for Union Berlin against Dortmund at the weekend, with one of them tasting active football for the first time in months

Nigerian forward Anthony Ujah has expressed his happiness at playing football again after making his first appearance in 20 months for Union Berlin on Sunday.

Ujah played the final 18 minutes as Union Berlin fell to a 3-0 home defeat to title-chasing Borussia Dortmund. It was the Nigerian forward’s first Bundesliga appearance since June 2020, when he injured his knee, which required two operations.

And despite the loss in front of their darling supporters, Ujah was pleased to have won the battle of the past year and a half.

“I’m very happy to be back on the pitch. It was a very, very long time, but I fought my way back,” Ujah said, as per Bz-Berlin.

Ujah may enjoy limited playing time for the meantime, with compatriot Taiwo Awoniyi bearing the tag as Union Berlin’s leading striker and the trio of Sheraldo Becker, Kevin Behrens, and Andreas Voglsammer ahead of him on the pecking order.

But the former Mainz ace is a nine-year veteran of the German top-flight, and he vows to be ready when his opportunity comes.

“I’ve been playing football long enough; I know how it’s done,” the 31-year-old added.

“I just have to be ready.”

Union Berlin manager Urs Fischer was equally glad to have Ujah back from his lengthy layoff.

And with German forward Max Kruse departing Berlin to team up with Wolfsburg in January, Ujah offers Fischer a new option in attack.

And the Swiss tactician could not hide his delight at Ujah’s comeback.

“We decided to give Tony some playing time because he worked tirelessly on it,” Fischer said.

“Today, I’m happy that he was finally able to play a few minutes again.”

A Nigerian international with seven appearances for the Super Eagles, Ujah’s contract with the Iron Ones will expire later in June.