Sevilla striker Akor Adams made a memorable return from the Africa Cup of Nations on Monday, coming off the bench to score twice and secure a 2–2 draw against Elche, PUNCH Online reports.
The Nigerian international netted both goals for Sevilla, ending the club’s four-game losing streak in all competitions.
Elche, who have won just two of their last 13 top-flight matches, took the lead inside 15 minutes. Martim Neto cleverly released Aleix Febas into space on the edge of the box, allowing the midfielder to fire past a slightly out-of-position Sevilla goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos.
The hosts doubled their advantage 10 minutes into the second half through Germán Valera.
Adams, who enjoyed a strong AFCON campaign in Morocco with Nigeria, was introduced at the start of the second half. He pulled a goal back for Sevilla — the club’s first competitive strike in five matches.
In stoppage time, he stepped up to convert a penalty after referee Ricardo de Burgos awarded a spot-kick for a handball in the Elche area, completing his brace and levelling the score at 2-2.
Adams’ Nigeria teammate, Chidera Ejuke — also recently involved at the AFCON — came on in the 65th minute, helping Sevilla halt their run of defeats that had begun on December 17, just two days after both players left for the tournament.
The 25-year-old Adams featured in all seven of Nigeria’s AFCON matches, finishing the tournament with two goals and two assists as the Super Eagles claimed the bronze medal.
Sevilla coach Matías Almeyda had confirmed that both Adams and Ejuke would be available for the Elche game after completing their AFCON commitments and arriving in Spain on Sunday.
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