Portrait
CAN 2024: Troost-Ekong, the defense expert against the Elephants
Nigeria shone with its defensive solidity throughout this CAN 2024. A strength embodied by its captain and central defender William Troost-Ekong. A colossus, not with feet of clay, but with recycled crampons, who will defend the colors of the Super Eagles against the Elephants in the final of the competition, on February 11 in Abidjan.
Nigerian captain William Troost-Ekong celebrates his opening score from a penalty during the semi-final between Nigeria and South Africa in Bouaké, February 7, 2024. © AFP / ISSOUF SANOGO
By: Valentin Berg Follow
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The Super Eagles owe a lot to Victor Osimhen. But they can also thank their central defender and captain William Troost-Ekong, an essential player in their journey to the final of this
2024 African Cup of Nations
.
With one of the best attacking lines on the continent, Nigeria was not really prolific during this Ivorian edition, regularly winning with minimal scores. On the other hand, she was able to be particularly solid in front of her goal, a sector of play where she was not necessarily expected. Which made it the best defense of the tournament with only two goals conceded before the final:
one against Equatorial Guinea (1-1)
in the group stage,
the other against the South Africans in the semi-final (1 -1, 4-2 TAB)
.
“
I think maybe we were a little underestimated defensively. We have the most exciting attack with the best player in Africa, our number nine Victor Osimhen. It’s not a surprise, but I also know what our defenders can do
,” warned the Nigerian captain during the group stage.
Read alsoCAN 2024: why Victor Osimhen is essential in Nigeria even when he does not score
Launched by a Nigerian legend
Born in Haarlem in the Netherlands in 1993, Troost-Ekong grew up first in Amsterdam then in London, attending boarding school from the age of 12. Trained in the London clubs of Fulham (2008-2010) then Tottenham (2010-2013), the defender began his professional career at FC Groningen (Netherlands) before traveling throughout Europe wearing the colors of La Gantoise (Belgium), Bursaspor (Turkey), Udinese (Italy), Watford (England) and PAOK Salonika (Greece), where he currently plays.
A Nigerian international for nine years, Troost-Ekong could logically have chosen to play for Oranje, the Dutch national team. But in 2015, a phone call changed everything. “
I also dreamed of playing for the Dutch national team,”
he admitted.
But when Stephen Keshi
(the Nigerian coach at the time)
called me, a legend from my childhood, especially as a central defender, I was a little surprised that he asked me to play for Nigeria. I didn't have to think twice about it.
»
“
I think I said yes before even thinking about anything, or asking anyone, because it seemed like the right decision, and I have never looked back since
,” continues the defender who now totals 70 matches played for the Super Eagles, including 15 in the African Cup of Nations.
Read alsoCalendar, results and rankings of CAN 2024 matches
A tactical leader for the Super Eagles
We obviously remember his muscular interventions and his duo of golgoths formed with Calvin Bassey, the other man in good shape in the Nigerian defense. But Troost-Ekong has many other qualities on the pitch according to Gernot Rohr, Nigeria coach between 2016 and 2021 and current coach of Benin.
“
He has a tactical impact on others, given his intelligence. William replaces his teammates, he knows how to enforce the offside line, bring the defense up... In addition, he has an excellent shot, a quality long game and an above average aerial game,”
judges the Franco-German technician, who put him on the scoresheet 48 times in his 54 matches managed with Nigeria.
It was Rohr who gave him his first captain's armband, during a preparation match for the World Cup in Poland, won against Robert Lewandowski and his team. The coach also remembers a player with a head on his shoulders, who facilitated his arrival at the head of the Nigerian selection. “
It was my very first match with them, in September 2016 against Tanzania. We were at Lagos airport and the plane that was supposed to take us to Uyo was not there. We spent five hours together, he gave me information about Nigeria, about the team. He introduced me, in a way, with his story and his experiences. Yet he was a young player
, barely 23 years old at the time.
Engaged on different terrains
Troost-Ekong has also distinguished itself through its fight for ecology. During this Ivorian edition, he became the first player to wear recyclable crampons on the international scene, made from bamboo and sugar cane residue. “
It’s a message that goes beyond just me. I try to think about the children and their future. I have three children myself and I would like them to be able to enjoy the same things that I do now, like being able to play football or live in a climate that is not completely hostile
,” he said.
These eco-friendly 100% recyclable boots have made their debut at #AFCON2023 and we are here for it! 👟⚽️
Nigerian captain @WTroostEkong is the first to wear these boots on an international scale in the hope of improving the climate for younger generations. pic.twitter.com/mHumxbCkZD
— BBC News Africa (@BBCAfrica) February 2, 2024
Author of his fourth goal scored in the African Cup of Nations against South Africa in the semi-final, the central defender entered the history of the Nigerian selection by equaling the record of his idol and former coach Stephen Keshi. Both men now each hold the record for goals scored as central defenders in the competition.
During the consecration match against the Elephants, Sunday February 11, names like Osimhen and Haller will certainly be the most anticipated. But as usual, Troost-Ekong will have to do a colossal job in the shadows, facing
an Ivorian team that his team has already beaten in the group stage (1-0)
thanks to a penalty scored by... the Nigerian captain. -even.
“
I think this is perhaps the best Nigerian team I have played in, with all due respect to the legends who have worn this jersey
,” declared Troost-Ekong at the start of the competition. Now he only has one step left to take to write his story with the Super Eagles.
ONE NATION. ONE DREAM. #AFCON2023 FINAL! 🇳🇬 pic.twitter.com/tFJxX8a5Te
— William Troost-Ekong (@WTroostEkong) February 7, 2024
(With AFP)
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