Ejuke unable to help Hertha as Awoniyi’s replacement scores for Union

Nigerian midfielder Chidera Ejuke was unable to help Hertha Berlin avoid defeat in their opening game of the Bundesliga season on Saturday.

The Bundesliga returned with a big bang on Friday night as Bayern Munich thumped Eintracht Frankfurt 6-1. The defending champions showed that their appetite for silverware has not waned as Sadio Mane scored his first Bundesliga goal and contributed two assists in the game.

In the Berlin Derby on Saturday, we were treated to a sumptuous game at the Stadion an der Alten Försterei where Union welcomed city rivals Hertha BSC for the curtain opener.

The Irons did not show any impact of the absence of their Nigerian talisman Taiwo Awoniyi as they defeated Hertha 3-1.

Jordan Siebatcheu, the US national team player that was bought as a replacement for Awoniyi, opened scoring for the Irons in the first half. Sheraldo Becker, the Surinamese winger who formed a devastating partnership with Awoniyi last season, made it 2-0 five minutes into the second half before Robin Knoche added the third moments later.

Hertha made a raft of changes as they brought on Ejuke in place of Kevin-Prince Boateng for his Bundesliga debut. The Nigerian midfielder, who is known for his tricks and dribbling, had two blocked shots as Hertha chased the game.

It wasn’t until the 85^th minute when Dodi Lukebakio scored from a low shot across the goal of Frederik Rönnow to make it 3-1.

Ejuke would hope to have convinced coach Sandro Schwarz to hand him a starting spot in their home game next weekend against Frankfurt.