William Troost-Ekong, the Super Eagles captain, has talked about how he almost stopped playing for the national team.
In an interview with ESPN, Troost-Ekong said he wasn’t sure of playing at the ongoing 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Ivory Coast.
“I wasn’t sure if I was going to play this AFCON or not and to be honest, I wasn’t sure if I was going to continue with the national team either because I was weighing all my options.”
“I felt that maybe the only thing that was going to stop me this time was that there was some disagreement with the coach before the tournament so I wasn’t sure if I was going to be part of the squad or not,” he said.
The 30-year-old, who won his first cap in 2015, also said he never gave up on the team after joining POAK in Greece last summer.
“I stayed in communication with the team, I was wishing them well. I also reminded the coach that I am available and I think everyone was impressed with how I was playing in the league and also the European Conference League,” he said.
Daily Trust reports that Troost-Ekong has been leading Nigeria’s defence line at the ongoing 2023 AFCON as the team hopes to win a fourth title after successes in 1980, 1994 and 2013.
The Super Eagles are currently in the quarter-final of the tournament and face the Palancas Negras of Angola at 6pm on Friday.
