William Troost-Ekong, a defender for Nigeria, has given credit to two Super Eagles players for his choice to continue playing for his country.
Troost-Ekong, the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, and Player of the Tournament winner, claimed he was advised by Alex Iwobi and Leon Balogun, two other Super Eagles players, not to give up on his international career before the competition in Ivory Coast.
Given that the 30-year-old having not played for the national team in more than a year, his inclusion in the Super Eagles’ tournament final lineup came as a surprise.
The PAOK star told CNN World Sport’s Amanda Davies recently that he was reminded of his early Super Eagles days and the pride he had when he made his debut under the late Stephen Keshi after having conversations with Iwobi and Balogun.
“I spoke with some of the players I have been with [in the national team] for a long time. For example Alex Iwobi, Leon Balogun,” Troost-Ekong said.
“They all said that they thought it would be a real shame. They felt I still have a lot to give, which made me think about my younger self when I first made my debut for the team. It gives my younger self a better end. So that was what changed my mind really.”
