Super Eagles Defenders Troost-Ekong, Balogun Hail Bronze Medal Win Given The Circumstances

William Troost-Ekong and his defensive partner Leon Balogun were happy that the Super Eagles finished third at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.

While the Udinese star went the distance in all the matches contested in Egypt with the exception of the 1-0 win vs Guinea, the Brighton center back found game time hard to come by after his error led to the first goal scored by Madagascar.

Speaking in the mixed zone, Ekong told reporters : 'I think from these circumstances it is the best that we could get.

''Of course we are disappointed not to play in the final but when you play in this kind of game you want to make sure you can take something home and I think we did that today, so it's a good achievement''.

Leon Balogun  added: ''I think we matured a little bit, if you see the mistakes we did in the World Cup we have matured.

''If you see how we got eliminated out of the tournament, that tells you that there is still room to improve but we are a young team and we are happy to learn.

''The greatest lessons you learn out of failure.''

The Super Eagles will discover their 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers group opponents when the draw takes place on July 18.

Igho Kingsley