Tremendous Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong has risen from the depths of doubt to the heights of world recognition having been nominated as top-of-the-line defenders within the FIFA Award, Soccernet.ng experiences.
The defender, who in November 2023 contemplated worldwide retirement after being missed by then-coach José Peseiro, has since solidified his place as considered one of Nigeria’s most reliable gamers.
Late in 2023, rumours swirled about Troost-Ekong’s potential retirement from the nationwide workforce. At 31, he was already the oldest participant within the squad, and a quick interval of exclusion led many to take a position that his days with the Tremendous Eagles have been numbered.
Reflecting on this section, Troost-Ekong expressed frustration in enjoying for the Tremendous Eagles of Nigeria forward of the 2023 AFCON event.
“I wasn’t certain if I used to be going to play this AFCON or not, and to be trustworthy, I wasn’t certain if I used to be going to proceed with the nationwide workforce both as a result of I used to be weighing all my choices.
“I felt that possibly the one factor that was going to cease me this time is that there was some disagreement with the coach earlier than the event so I wasn’t certain if I used to be going to be a part of the squad or not.” he advised ESPN Africa.
Quick ahead to November 2024, and the narrative round Troost-Ekong couldn’t be extra totally different. The centre-back captained Nigeria to a stellar efficiency on the 2023 AFCON event in Ivory Coast, the place he was named the event’s Most Invaluable Participant.
The accolades didn’t cease at AFCON. Troost-Ekong grew to become the primary Tremendous Eagle to be nominated within the FIFA Greatest Defender class.
Ayomide Oguntimehin
Ayomide Oguntimehin is a CAF-accredited sports activities journalist and an Editor at Soccernet.ng, with a confirmed monitor file in conducting interviews with Tremendous Eagles stars corresponding to William Troost-Ekong, Taiwo Awoniyi, Shiny Osayi-Samuel, Ademola Lookman, and plenty of others. He has additionally made a big impression in breaking switch information tales.
Grounded in video modifying, video journalism, social media administration, and content material technique, Ayomide brings a wealth of experience to his work.
With a Bachelor’s diploma in English Language from Adeyemi Faculty of Training and a Grasp’s Diploma in Faculty Library and Media Expertise from the College of Ibadan, Ayomide is well-prepared to excel within the subject.