Tag: Troost-Ekong

Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong has predicted that Libya will be an even tougher nut to crack when both teams clash again on Tuesday night in Benina.

Tuesday’s rematch will kick off by 8 pm at a packed 10,000-capacity stadium and it will be played on an artificial pitch.

Libya are rooted to the bottom of Group D halfway through the 2025 AFCON qualifying series with only a point and are hard pressed to win in front of their fans to get their campaign back on track.

Augustine Eguavoen’s men travel to the Martyrs of February Stadium to take on the Libyans in front of their home crowd, and Troost-Ekong revealed they’ll have their work cut out for them as they aim for three points away from home.

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 “Libya will come out fighting, but we want to go there and seal our AFCON qualification. The crowd will be hostile there, they will make it hard for us, but we will be ready. Libya came to get a point, they played defensively, with eight defenders at the edge of their box, and they kept us out for a long time. It was an ugly win and it took a lot of time before we scored, but we got the three points and that’s good for us. A win is a win and I will take this win, but we need to be more clinical (in front goal), try to convert half chances to goals,” former Watford defender said in his post-game conference.

Nigeria are currently top of Group D, leading with seven points from three games, scoring four and conceding none, while Libya’s chances of qualification are growing faint as they’ve gotten just one point so far.

Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong is working his way back to full fitness as he recovers from the injury he sustained at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

Troost-Ekong suffered an injury during Nigeria’s second group game at the AFCON against Cote d’Ivoire, in which he scored the Super Eagles’ winning goal.

The former Watford defender missed Nigeria’s next match against Guinea-Bissau, but he returned in the knockout rounds and featured as the Eagles reached the final.

Troost-Ekong scored in the semifinal and the final and was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player.However, after careful assessment and consultation with medical professionals at the end of the AFCON, it was discovered that the 29-year-old centre-back had ruptured the biceps femoris in his right leg.

Subsequently, Troost-Ekong had surgery in Finland, and he was expected to miss the rest of the season.He has not played for his club, PAOK FC since his return from the AFCON, including missing the first leg of their Europa Conference League quarterfinal clash against Raphael Onyedika’s Club Brugge.

Club Brugge claimed a narrow 1-0 win in that encounter, but PAOK are looking to overturn that deficit and make it to the semi-finals.

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However, while PAOK have confirmed that Troost-Ekong is not in the squad for the second leg of the tie, the Greek club side provided an update on the Nigeria international’s rehabilitation according to Soccernet.ng.

The Super Eagles defender did not participate in team training; rather, he did some physiotherapy and spent time in the gym.

Despite his injury setback, Troost-Emong is still not ruled out of Nigeria’s crucial World Cup qualifiers in June.The Super Eagles face South Africa and the Benin Republic in the first week of that month, with a defeat in any of those games likely to derail qualification hopes.

Greek side PAOK would only listen to big offers for Super Eagles’ captain at the 2023  Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), William Troost-Ekong, in June.

Troost-Ekong, who joined  PAOK in 2023 on a three-year  contract, was adjudged the 2023 AFCON Player of the Tournament, and there are fears that the 30-year-old defender would presumably  want to leave the Thessaloniki club following  his outstanding performance  at the AFCON.

But respected Greek journalist Jonny Georgopolous has informed  NationSports that PAOK  would not allow Troost –Ekong to leave on the cheap, adding that there is already an undercurrent within the club that the Super  Eagles defender would be  allowed to leave in June.

 “As you know,  Ekong will be losing the rest of the season because he was recently operated upon after playing the AFCON with injury,” Georgopolous, who works with Greek foremost media outlet, SDNA.gr, told NationSports. “According to what I gathered from PAOK, he’s happy here but based on what he has done at the AFCON, he wants a bigger contract in terms of salary, which PAOK are not willing to pay; they would rather allow him to go at the end of the season.”

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The Harlem-born Troost-Ekong has played for a clutch of clubs across  Europe, including

Groningen and Gent in Holland; Bursaspor in Turkey, Watford in England, as well as Udinese and Salernitana in Italy, before arriving at PAOK.

Accordingly, Georgopolous believes Troost-Ekong would not be short of offers  following his inspirational  performance at the AFCON where his resoluteness at the  heart of Nigeria defence helped the Super Eagles to a second place finish.

Yet, the international sports journalist hinted that PAOK  would only let Troost-Ekong  go to a club where they can also recoup their investments, amid offers from Saudi Arabia, for the Super Eagles star.

 “ PAOK would want to take good money before he can be allowed to leave in June, because based on what I have gathered, PAOK  will allow Troost-Ekong to leave  at the end of the season,” he disclosed.

• Sanusi, Aina , others too 

Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh, has  extended  his heartfelt love and support to Super Eagles captain, William Troost-Ekong, who recently underwent surgery after bravely playing through pain to defend Nigeria at the African Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire.

Senator Enoh in  a statement signed by his  Special Assistant (Media),Diana-Mary Nsan, expressed his deep concern for Troost-Ekong’s well-being and wished him a swift and successful recovery. He commended Troost-Ekong for his dedication to representing Nigeria on the international stage, despite facing physical challenges.

“The dedication and resilience demonstrated by William Troost-Ekong is truly commendable. His willingness to push through pain and continue to lead our national team exemplifies the spirit of a true leader and warrior. We extend our love and support to him during this period of recovery and eagerly anticipate his return to the pitch,”  Enoh was quoted as saying..

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Additionally, the Minister hailed the gallant display of Zaidu Sanusi, Ola Aina, and others who also sustained injuries during the AFCON.

 Sanusi, unfortunately, is facing a longer recovery period and is expected to be out for the rest of the season. Senator John Owan Enoh acknowledged their sacrifices and wished them a speedy and full recovery.

“Zaidu Sanusi and Ola Aina displayed remarkable courage and dedication to the national team. Their commitment to representing Nigeria on the football field despite adversity is truly inspiring. We extend our best wishes to them for a swift recovery, and we want them to know that Nigerians will forever appreciate their sacrifices,” Enoh added.

The Minister emphasized the importance of prioritizing the health and well-being of athletes and pledged continued support to ensure they receive the best possible medical care and support.

Despite losing 2-1 to hosts Cote d’Ivoire in the finals of the African Cup of Nations (AFCON), MTN has praised the Super Eagles for their exceptional performance throughout the tournament.

The company also congratulated the captain of the team, William Troost-Ekong, on his excellent performance and inspired leadership, which earned him the ‘Most Valuable Player’ (MVP) of the tournament award.

Karl Toriola, CEO of MTN Nigeria, expressed admiration for the team saying: “While the coveted AFCON title eluded us this time, the Super Eagles have undoubtedly made Nigeria proud with their remarkable journey in the tournament. We salute their resilience, dedication and can-do spirit. The team exhibited extraordinary determination, skill and sportsmanship throughout the tournament, displaying unwavering commitment to the pride and passion that Nigerian football represents. The captain, William Troost-Ekong also exhibited rare leadership qualities and masterful display on the field of play, which earned him a well-deserved MVP award. For all these and many more, we congratulate them.”

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Going a step further, Toriola said as the official and exclusive communications partner to the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), MTN recognizes, and appreciates the dedication of the coaching staff, players and the entire support team whose relentless efforts brought the Super Eagles to the final.

“Their unwavering commitment to representing the nation with grace and tenacity is truly commendable. And while the final outcome might not have been in our favour, we are convinced that the Super Eagles will harness this experience and emerge stronger in future tournaments. As a brand committed to the growth and development of Nigerian sports, MTN Nigeria will continue to stand by the team and support their aspirations in their future endeavors. We remain dedicated to fuelling the passion for football in Nigeria and promoting the growth of the sport at all levels,” he concluded.

MTN Nigeria has been a staunch supporter of Nigerian football for over two decades, playing an integral role in the development and promotion of the sport across the country.

Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong has said that he will do everything to be available for selection on Sunday when Nigeria meet Cote d’ivoire in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations final in Abidjan even if it is remain one leg for him.

The 30-year-old defender has been struggling with injury to play for Nigeria in the 2023 AFCON in Cote d’Ivoire.

The Watford defender picked up the injury in the team’s second Group A game against Cote d’Ivoire which Nigeria won by 1-0.The injury stopped him from playing in the last group game against Guinea Bissau and Kenneth Omeruo replaced him in the starting line.

However, the PAOK of Greece defender returned to the Super Eagles first eleven in the round of 16 clash against Cameroon and he has since played all the games through to the final.

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Troost-Ekong scored after 67 minutes for Nigeria and Teboho Mokoena equalised from a 90^th -minute spot-kick for South Africa in the semi-final clash on Wednesday at Stade Bouake. Nigeria defeated South Africa 4-2 on penalties and Troost-Ekong converted one of the Nigeria sport kicks.

Sunday’s final is important for every player and Troost-Ekong said it is the game he wouldn’t want to miss.

“I think I have been struggling with injury since the Ivory Coast game and this is the moment I don’t want to miss. Even if it is remain one leg for me I will play. Although, the coach makes the decision on who plays but I will do my best to stay very good,” Troost-Ekong told Nationsport.

Meanwhile, Troost-Ekong said he  was proud of the team’s performance against South Africa and they will go to the final with the same spirit.

He added: “I feel happy and we are very close to achieve our dreams. I am very happy with the team, very happy with our performance. It wasn’t easy game for us because South Africa has been fantastic in the tournament and they deserved to be in the semi-finals. We won the game after the penalties and it is something we should be proud of and we will do that again.”