Troost-Ekong reveals what is making the Super Eagles play well, insists no superstar in squad ahead of AFCON final

William Troost-Ekong believes the Super Eagles are challenging for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations trophy because there is a strong sense of unity in the squad and the young talented players have something to prove. 

The PAOK star, who is the oldest player fielded by manager Jose Peseiro at the ongoing tournament,  is the linchpin of the Super Eagles defence that was on the brink of keeping five consecutive clean sheets before conceding a 90th minute goal in Wednesday's semifinal against South Africa. 

Of the twenty-five players taken to the 2023 AFCON  by the Portuguese football tactician, nine play for top five European League clubs including Ola Aina, Frank Onyeka, Victor Osimhen, Samuel Chukwueze, Moses Simon, Alex Iwobi, Ademola Lookman, Calvin Bassey and Terem Moffi, 

Speaking to Hot Sports Nigeria, Troost-Ekong stated: "I think all of us now playing in respectable teams in respect of the leagues, one or two in better teams than others, but everyone is young and wants to prove something and that's what probably makes us a good team.

"We are all in this together and as soon as we arrived here in the camp I don't think anyone thinks about what club they play for.  It's a real brotherhood going on. That's making us play well."

Troost-Ekong has insisted that there are no superstars in the current Super Eagles squad compared to previous Nigeria teams that had players on the books of Arsenal, Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona, Juventus and Ajax Amsterdam. 

"We don't have any superstars in our team, I think before there's been generations with Nigeria that they've had a lot of players playing in big teams.

"However much that's helped the team it might have also been a bit difficult because you have different agendas maybe and you have to take into account a lot of different players and different mentalities."

Troost-Ekong is expected to wear the captain's armband for Nigeria in Sunday's AFCON final against host Ivory Coast. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

Copyright ANS

All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from allnigeriasoccer.com