Following his successful campaign in winning the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations and being awarded the Player of the Tournament, Nigeria defender William Troost-Ekong revealed that two of his Super Eagles teammates played a significant role in his choice to remain with the national team.
Despite not representing the national team for over a year, the 30-year-old’s inclusion in the final squad for the tournament came as a surprise to many.
In a recent interview with CNN World Sport’s Amanda Davies, the PAOK star shared that discussions with Alex Iwobi and Leon Balogun led him to reminisce about his early days with the Super Eagles, particularly the pride he felt making his debut under the late Stephen Keshi.
“Conversations with long-time national team colleagues like Alex Iwobi and Leon Balogun really made me reconsider my decision. Their belief in my potential and contributions made me reflect on my debut days with the team,” said the former Watford player.
He added, “Their sentiments helped me see a different perspective and inspired me to continue playing for the team.”