The Nigerian representative of CSKA Moscow wing forward Chidera Ejuke has revealed that the 22 year old was one step away from joining Manchester City in 2015.
In an exclusive chat with Owngoalnigeria.com Babawo Mohammed reveled that at the age of 16, Ejuke was sighted by the agent of Borussia Dortmund in demand star Jadon Sancho and wanted both players to join Manchester City.
The agent saw Ejuke in the camp of the U17 team of 2015 during his visit to Nigeria to watch the Emmanuel Amuneke team in training back then.
“ Ejuke and Sancho were suppose to go to Manchester City. Emeka Obasi the agent of Sancho spotted him in the U17 camp in 2015. Around that time Sancho was about to leave Watford for Man City. He told me Ejuke will be part of the deal.
“ Things took a different turn when Emmanuel Amuneke shocked us all by dropping him from the squad to the U17 Nations Cup and even the World Cup proper. City were supposed to scout him at both tournament. We had to start afresh with him again”, Babawo revealed.
Following the disappointment, Babawo said he still didn’t lose faith in him and via same agent took him for a two weeks trials in Liverpool alongside three others.
“ Because Obasi was convinced by his ability he got him a chance to have trial with Liverpool alongside three of my players. They spent two weeks there but at the end weren’t offered a deal. I think the double disappointment helped him to where he is today”.
Ejuke scores his first goal for CSKA Moscow last weekend in the derby game against Locomotive Moscow as he step up the process of settling down at his new club following his €12 million move from Dutch side Heerenveen three weeks ago.
He has also been called up to the senior national team of Nigeria for their upcoming games against Tunisia and Côte d’Ivoire respectively. The games will be played on the 9th and 13th of October in Austria.
Osas Mahawi
