Troost-Ekong, the defense expert against the Elephants

5 mins

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 African Cup of Nations 2024.

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 no 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 I even thought about anything, or asked anyone, because it felt like the right decision, and I haven’t looked back since. », Continues the defender who has now played 70 matches 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 respect 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 aligned 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. He was a young player though. », 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 with a climate that is not completely hostile “, he declared.

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 would have to carry out a colossal job in the shadows, facing an Ivorian team that their team have already beaten in the group stage (1-0) thanks to a penalty scored by… the Nigerian captain himself.

“ 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.

(With AFP)