Ejuke Says He Is Ready for Any Role as Sevilla Face Real Betis in Derby

Nigeria winger Chidera Ejuke said he is prepared to play any part assigned to him when Sevilla meet city rivals Real Betis on Sunday in a crucial LaLiga derby.

The 28-year-old Super Eagles forward enters the match under pressure to deliver consistency, but he said his focus is on helping the team whenever Sevilla coach Matías Almeyda calls on him. Almeyda said before the game that he had not decided whether Ejuke would start or come on later as a substitute.

Ejuke said that uncertainty does not change his approach. “It’s the same for me. I just want to be ready when the coach needs me,” Ejuke told Muchodeporte. “I don’t care if it’s from the start or off the bench; I want to help the team when I have the opportunity to play.”

Sevilla have used Ejuke 18 times in LaLiga this season. In those appearances, he has returned one goal and one assist. Even so, questions have remained around his week-to-week output in attack, especially in games where Sevilla need a quick breakthrough.

Ejuke also backed fellow Nigerian Akor Adams, saying strong form from the team’s strikers can lift the entire attacking unit. “Of course, he’s our striker. Along with the other attackers, they’re all important. But it’s good when the strikers are feeling good, when they’re scoring goals, because that can give us even more during matches,” he said.

The derby comes at an important stage of Sevilla’s season. Almeyda’s side are 12th in the table, five points above the relegation zone and six points behind the top seven places. Sevilla have lost only one of their last six league matches and are unbeaten in their last three, results that have steadied the team before this weekend’s test.

Betis, however, arrive in stronger league position at fifth and with momentum of their own after taking 10 points from their last four matches. They also won the last two derbies, including a 2-0 victory over Sevilla earlier this season.

Ejuke, who featured for Nigeria at the Africa Cup of Nations and made two appearances as the Super Eagles finished third, said he is determined to make a difference in a fixture that could shape Sevilla’s run-in.