Troost-Ekong has played alongside Leon Balogun, Chidozie Awaziem, Omeruo and Semi Ajayi in the heart of the Super Eagles central defence in recent years and he's delighted with the competition for places with a new coach in the dugout for this tournament.

The Super Eagles' defensive display in the last days of Gernot Rohr wasn't exemplary but things have changed for the better under Augustine Eguavoen with the national team yet to concede from open play at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Troost-Ekong has acknowledged that former Chelsea star Omeruo, an AFCON veteran, has been an influential figure in the team.

Speaking at Tuesday's press conference, Troost-Ekong said : "With our new coach it has been a breath of fresh air. Everyone is fighting again to show themself and everyone wants to carry out the instructions from our new coach, Kenneth as well.

"In that sense there are no surprises and it's not just me pairing with other players, we have some other fantastic players as well with Awaziem and Leon Balogun who is not here.

"We've got younger players as well so it's up to the coach to make the selection and I enjoy playing with Kenneth, I think he's a fantastic defender so it makes it easy but we have a lot of options defensively as well for the Super Eagles at the moment.

"It's keeping us all sharp and making us try to perform to our best ability to try and keep a spot when we get a chance to play".

Ifeanyi Emmanuel


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