Nigeria defender William Troost-Ekong has credited his decision to continue playing for the national team to the advice he received from two fellow Super Eagles players, Alex Iwobi and Leon Balogun.
Troost-Ekong, who was named the Player of the Tournament at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), revealed that Iwobi and Balogun encouraged him not to retire from international football before the tournament in Ivory Coast.
Despite not featuring for the national team for over a year, the 30-year-old was unexpectedly included in the Super Eagles’ final squad for the tournament.
In a recent interview with CNN World Sport’s Amanda Davies, the PAOK star highlighted how conversations with Iwobi and Balogun made him reflect on his early days with the Super Eagles and the pride he felt when he made his debut under the late Stephen Keshi.
Troost-Ekong stated, “I spoke with some of the players I have been with [in the national team] for a long time. For example, Alex Iwobi, Leon Balogun. They all said that they thought it would be a real shame. They felt I still have a lot to give, which made me think about my younger self [when I first made my debut for the team]. It gives my younger self a better end.”
“So that was what changed my mind really.”
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