Troost-Ekong namechecks two Super Eagles players behind his decision not to quit national team pre-AFCON

William Troost-Ekong has shared that he received advice from fellow dual national players, namely Alex Iwobi and Leon Balogun, encouraging him not to retire from international football prior to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

The PAOK star was a surprise inclusion in the Super Eagles final squad to the tournament considering the fact that he had not played for the national team for more than a year. 

During the tournament in Ivory Coast, he was the  linchpin of a Super Eagles defence that were on the brink of keeping five consecutive clean sheets before conceding a 90th minute goal in the semifinal against South Africa. 

The Tottenham Hotspur academy product scored three goals and was named Player of the Tournament at the AFCON. 

In an exclusive interview with CNN World Sport's Amanda Davies, monitored by allnigeriasoccer.com, Troost-Ekong revealed that he had conversations with his international teammates whom he had  shared a longer journey with, like Alex Iwobi and Leon Balogun and they all expressed their belief that it would be unfortunate if he left, emphasizing that they saw more potential in him.

Troost-Ekong added that his discussions with his Nigeria teammates  prompted him to reflect on his early days with the Super Eagles and the pride he felt when he made his debut under the late Stephen Keshi. 

The 30-year-old concluded by saying that he owed it to his younger self to end his international career on a better note so he changed his mind about quitting the national team. 

A former Netherlands youth international. Troost-Ekong became cap-tied to the Super Eagles after after participating in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against Tanzania in September 2015. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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