'This is best Nigeria team I've played in': Super Eagles captain Troost-Ekong

[iworo]

'This is best Nigeria team I've played in': Super Eagles captain Troost-Ekong

Abidjan (AFP) – Born in the Netherlands and educated in England, Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong has not looked back at international level since opting to represent Nigeria.



Part of the team that lost to Lionel Messi and Argentina at the 2018 World Cup, Troost-Ekong is currently taking part in his third Africa Cup of Nations and he kept a remarkably cool head to score the decisive penalty in the 1-0 win over hosts Ivory Coast on Thursday.

That result left the three-time continental champions primed to clinch a spot in the last 16 when they play Guinea-Bissau in their last group game in Abidjan on Monday.

"It is so early still, but my belief in the team has stayed the same," the 30-year-old centre-back, who won his first cap in 2015, told AFP.

"If I look at the players we have now, I think it might be the best team I have played in for Nigeria. That is with all due respect to some of the legends that have been there."

Amid all the talk of Nigeria's fearsome attack, spearheaded by African footballer of the year Victor Osimhen, it was Nigeria's defence that perhaps surprisingly stood out against the Ivorians, with Troost-Ekong marshalling a five-man back line.

"I think we have the most exciting attack in Africa. We have the best player in Africa who is our number nine. But I was not surprised, I think I know what the defenders can do as well and I believe so much in this group," he said.

"I think we have maybe been underrated a little bit defensively."

Troost-Ekong, who is wearing boots at the AFCON made from bamboo and other sustainable materials, was born just outside Amsterdam to a Nigerian father and Dutch mother, and was capped at youth level by the Netherlands.

'Haven't looked back'

He admits he dreamed of representing the Oranje senior team before a call from Stephen Keshi, then the Super Eagles coach, convinced him to pull on a Nigerian shirt.

"I watched a lot of football with my Dad. He was always watching the Super Eagles, but growing up in Holland, I also dreamt about playing for the Dutch national team," said the defender, who moved to the UK aged 12 to attend boarding school.

"But when I got the phone call from Stephen Keshi at the time, who was a player and a legend who I watched growing up as a kid, especially as a central defender, I was kind of taken aback, and for him to ask me to play for Nigeria, I didn't have to think twice.

"I think I said yes before I even had to think about anything or ask anyone because it just felt right, and I haven't looked back since.

"Something really feels right about playing for Nigeria."

Troost-Ekong, who has family in the southern city of Uyo as well as in Lagos, spent several months on holiday in Nigeria every year while growing up and says the country "felt very much like home and still does".

He has turned out for clubs all over Europe, notably playing in Serie A for Udinese and in the English Premier League for Watford.

However, he recently joined leading Greek side PAOK -– and opted to offset the carbon from the travel required to complete his transfer in another nod to the environment.

As he settles in Thessaloniki, he is now hoping this year to add some winners medals to the Olympic bronze he won with Nigeria in 2016.

"I have played in Serie A and in England, which are considered probably the top leagues, but for teams that are trying to stay in the league or to survive," said the player who is so heavily tattooed he claims to have lost count of how many he has.

"Now playing at PAOK it is different because the ambition there is to win the league, win the cup, and win the Europa Conference League.

"I am really enjoying it and I am hopeful that I can add some silverware to my career, here as well as back home."

https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/2 ... oost-ekong

[airwolex]

Hmmmm strong statement. The team has actually been good defensively apart from Uzoho. I have always said that it is the attack that struggles, hope they can get it right

[danfo driver]

because of one game. it is well.

[Babalawo]

because of one game. it is well.

[airwolex]

He obviously rates this current squad high in terms of talent. Not because of the CIV game

[danfo driver]

He obviously rates this current squad high in terms of talent. Not because of the CIV game

Yet, he didnt tell us about this since when they were being humiliated by Guinea, Zimbabwe, Lesotho and EQG (in Nigeria). Sure

[sabb]

because of one game. it is well.

oboy I tìrẹ and na from pé a wé score ó

[scholl]

because of one game. it is well.

[ohenhen1]

That midfield is light. I

[waka-man]

In terms of personnel, it is arguably the strongest he’s ever been in.
Off course the one area that’s not true is minefield. He once played behind Ndidi, Mikel and Etebo at his best. This is is not as good.
But we have better fullbacks and better cover at CD than any time he’s been in the squad. And in Osimhen we might have our next striker since Yekini, and he’s just one of a very gifted crop of strikers.
Even in goal, there’s an argument to be made.
So I think he’s within his right to say it and also think he’d agree that they need to now bring it together.

[danfo driver]

In terms of personnel, it is arguably the strongest he’s ever been in.
Off course the one area that’s not true is minefield. He once played behind Ndidi, Mikel and Etebo at his best. This is is not as good.
But we have better fullbacks and better cover at CD than any time he’s been in the squad. And in Osimhen we might have our next striker since Yekini, and he’s just one of a very gifted crop of strikers.
Even in goal, there’s an argument to be made.
So I think he’s within his right to say it and also think he’d agree that they need to now bring it together.

[Tbite]

I have been saying it for a long time myself. You guys will say because of one game.

It was obvious to me that the team was playing far below potential.

I had to criticise the coach, because I did not know what else to do. It made no sense to me. How could such a team produce such results.

Eventually with a bit of confidence and consistency, something had to give.

[Babalawo]

I have been saying it for a long time myself. You guys will say because of one game.

It was obvious to me that the team was playing far below potential.

I had to criticise the coach, because I did not know what else to do. It made no sense to me. How could such a team produce such results.

Eventually with a bit of confidence and consistency, something had to give.

Well said, that’s why I and a group of folks in here have been screaming out our lungs and begging that the coach be fired! We have enough above average players to comfortable defeat and not draw with the likes of Lesotho, Mozambique, Saudi Arabia and EqG for crying out loud! Moving from Rohr to Passeiro was like divorcing your Imo wife only to end up with a woman from Ekiti state

[Naija fan]

Two opposing things can be true at the same time. We have a very good team but struggle against the likes of Guinea, Zimbabwe, Lesotho and EQG. There are no small teams in Africa anymore. The results of this AFCON is proof of that. When these teams play against us, they pretty much park the bus in their defensive line and wait to counter. It's a very effective strategy when playing against a superior team which the SE are. It will be very interesting to see what GB will do against us tomorrow. They are already out of the tournament and I am hoping they actually come out to play instead of playing not to lose. Tomorrow is when our attack will come alive if GB comes out to play.

[maceo4]

I have been saying it for a long time myself. You guys will say because of one game.

It was obvious to me that the team was playing far below potential.

I had to criticise the coach, because I did not know what else to do. It made no sense to me. How could such a team produce such results.

Eventually with a bit of confidence and consistency, something had to give.

They are still playing below potential sef, if they give everything like they did vs CIV in al their games, it will be hard for any African team to beat them.

[Tobi17]

From optics of camp scoops and all it's easy to tell this bunch get along pretty better than their counterparts from the previous generations, the "Innit boys" are best friends while the rest get along with each other well as well.

[vancity eagle]

Two opposing things can be true at the same time. We have a very good team but struggle against the likes of Guinea, Zimbabwe, Lesotho and EQG. There are no small teams in Africa anymore. The results of this AFCON is proof of that. When these teams play against us, they pretty much park the bus in their defensive line and wait to counter. It's a very effective strategy when playing against a superior team which the SE are. It will be very interesting to see what GB will do against us tomorrow. They are already out of the tournament and I am hoping they actually come out to play instead of playing not to lose. Tomorrow is when our attack will come alive if GB comes out to play.

I dont know if GB are technically out yet.

But they must beat us to have any chance. So hopefully they come out.

[ANC]

Two opposing things can be true at the same time. We have a very good team but struggle against the likes of Guinea, Zimbabwe, Lesotho and EQG. There are no small teams in Africa anymore. The results of this AFCON is proof of that. When these teams play against us, they pretty much park the bus in their defensive line and wait to counter. It's a very effective strategy when playing against a superior team which the SE are. It will be very interesting to see what GB will do against us tomorrow. They are already out of the tournament and I am hoping they actually come out to play instead of playing not to lose. Tomorrow is when our attack will come alive if GB comes out to play.

I dont know if GB are technically out yet.

But they must beat us to have any chance. So hopefully they come out.

GB is out.

[Damunk]

Two opposing things can be true at the same time. We have a very good team but struggle against the likes of Guinea, Zimbabwe, Lesotho and EQG. There are no small teams in Africa anymore. The results of this AFCON is proof of that. When these teams play against us, they pretty much park the bus in their defensive line and wait to counter. It's a very effective strategy when playing against a superior team which the SE are. It will be very interesting to see what GB will do against us tomorrow. They are already out of the tournament and I am hoping they actually come out to play instead of playing not to lose. Tomorrow is when our attack will come alive if GB comes out to play.

I dont know if GB are technically out yet.

But they must beat us to have any chance. So hopefully they come out.

tThey are out. Patapata they end up with 3 points which won’t get them anywhere seeing what has already happened in other groups.

[airwolex]

Not a controversial a statement. Most expensive squad. Player of the year. Serie A strike force, Premiership defense. Great depth.

Ekong is a hella smart dude, so if he says this then we should take note.

Now let them go and fullfil their potential

[fishward6]

Now I know we are in Trouble!!!! With thinking Like that After 90 Minutes of football without a single shot on Target that is a preposterous Statement.
For Anyone a penalty is not an open play shot on Target!!!

Nonsense average team with no midfielders!

[danfo driver]

Not a controversial a statement. Most expensive squad. Player of the year. Serie A strike force, Premiership defense. Great depth.

Ekong is a hella smart dude, so if he says this then we should take note.

Now let them go and fullfil their potential

one is in Greece and the other is on the bench in the Championship, but yea, premiership defense

[Eaglezbeak]

because of one game. it is well.

But he has played in a few Nigerian teams and as the captain I’ll assume he feels something that only he knows.