Seven-time UEFA Europa League winners Sevilla will be without two Super Eagles players due to the timing of the AFCON 2025 tournament, Soccernet.ng reports.
With Isaac Romero far from reliable in front of goal, Sevilla's coach, Matias Almeyda, is wary of going another month without Akor Adams and Chidera Ejuke.
The pair were heavily involved for the Los Hispalenses in their 4-0 win over Real Oviedo today, with both finding the back of the net.
Get Our Sports News First – Join Our WhatsApp Channel Now!
Super Eagles stars: AFCON timing disrupts plans for Sevilla coach
Sevilla's win this evening takes them into 9th on the La Liga table, and while they want to build on their victory from there, it'll be hard to do such without two vital attackers.
For Matias Almeyda, he believes the absence of Adams and Ejuke isn't an excuse, but admitted the squad will not be the same without the two Nigerians for the next month.
“Of course, it disrupts the clubs. When I arrived, I said I would never make excuses, and we will look at how we can get players in this position.
“I speak a lot with the sporting director about the future,” the Argentine manager said before the Real Oviedo clash in quotes revealed by Sevilla's official website.
After the win against Real Oviedo, the 51-year-old urged the other Sevilla players to step up in the ‘battle' without the Super Eagles duo.
“No, I think the same thing I think of when things don't go well. They have a lot of talent. The moment you live is not easy for footballers,” Almeyda said in quotes revealed by Futbol Fantasy.
“Some people are out there [in the team]; it takes them a while longer. And it's in us to give the confidence to each of them to tell them that they're good and that sometimes things don't come out.
“Then you have to maintain peace of mind, you have to stay calm and believe and work. And it makes me happy about it, obviously.
“And surely now, beyond the injured we have, we're going to have two [Ejuke and Adams] less. So we will continue in this battle.”
Ejuke and Adams will join up with the rest of the 26 players called up by Eric Chelle for the AFCON 2025 tournament. Next up for them is the friendly against Egypt on Tuesday at the Cairo International Stadium.
