Troost-Ekong speaks on friendlies v Algeria, what he expects from new Super Eagles invitees

Super Eagles assistant captain William Troost-Ekong on Wednesday evening highlighted the importance of the team's international friendly games against former African champions Algeria.

The Eagles and their North African rivals failed to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar and are billed to play a couple of matches during the international breaks left in 2022.

Speaking to Nigeria Football Federation TV, Ekong said the team are ready for the international friendlies.

"It has been great, we are very happy to see all the boys back together and the staff," the Watford defender told NFF TV.

"We have a good game coming up against Algeria so I think the spirit has been very high, training has been good.

"We are just working hard to improve our team cohesion and to be ready for the game."

In the face of huge criticism over their World Cup failure, Ekong insists that the team has an unbreakable bond and also spoke about the expectations from the new set of players in the team.

"The strength of our group has always been togetherness. We have experienced a lot in the last year.

"For the new guys they are welcome and they will have to do the initiation and singing still but the most important is that they are comfortable with us and they can show themselves on the pitch and here to contribute and to help the team as much as they can."

The Eagles will face the home base Algerian side previously billed to play the Nigerian home-based side but the latter failed to qualify for the tournament which Algeria will host early 2023 before next Tuesday's clash with the team consisting of first team players.

"We are here now to try and win all the games. We want to improve in all areas, we are playing against Algeria, one of the top teams in Africa.

"We have to show them respect but at the same time even though it’s a friendly game we will try to win the game and prepare ourselves for the qualifiers that will be coming up next.

"It’s a great opportunity even for the new players to show themselves and for all of us to blend together and understand what the coach expects from us."

The Algeria versus Nigeria game on Tuesday is scheduled for 8pm Nigerian time.

Izuchukwu Michael
   

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