Al-Kholood FC of Saudi Arabia defender, William Troost-Ekong has come out with a down-to-earth declaration that his biggest ambition as a footballer is to win the Africa Cup of Nations for Nigeria.
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Sports247 reports that Troost-Ekong, who is currently the captain of Nigeria’s Super Eagles, disclosed his big AFCON dream whilst reacting to a recent comment by ex-Liverpool stopper, Jamie Carragher that the African tournament is not an important competition.
While conceding that Carragher has a right to air his personal opinion, Troost-Ekong faulted the former England international for demeaning a major continental championship that he is still dreaming of winning before hanging his boots.
With Troost-Ekong set to turn 32 on September 1st, the former Tottenham Hotspur of England and Damstardt of Germany youth team player knows that time is running out for him to achieve his football goal – a burning desire which the 2023 AFCON most valuable player said he is never shy of revealing.
Troost-Ekong added, “I think everyone is entitled to their opinion, but it is also important for me to add mine – while representing 220 million people.
I think the question we have to ask ourselves is why we have 46 active African players in the Premier League … which is considered the most prestigious league in the world. Would it be the same without their major contributions?”
Apart from generalising the impacts that African stars are making in England and various other leagues across Europe, Troost-Ekong turned the focus of outstanding examples on himself and the continent’s current player of the year, Atalanta of Italy ace, Addmola Lookman.
Troost-Ekong reasoned further, “I’ve had the privilege of playing in eight different countries… from the Premier League to the Serie A to Holland, Belgium, Norway, Turkey … even winning the league in Greece last year, before coming here to Saudi Arabia.
One thing I’ve found everywhere is that football unites people. I also think it’s very important to celebrate such a big tournament.
“I know how much it means to me. Even if I talk about my current teammate, Ademola Lookman, the African player of the year.
He cherished playing Champions League football that we know as a household name, but his major dream still remains to win the AFCON.”
The Eagles’ skipper, who has also played for Udinese of Italy, AA Gent of Belgium and PAOK Saloniki of Greece, concluded by reiterating his desire to win the Nations Cup, even as he gets ready to compete in it for the fourth time when the next event starts this year December and will end January 2026 in Morocco.
“I’ve been there three times now … bronze medal, silver medal … but I haven’t had the chance to win it. That’s my ultimate goal.
That’s how much it means to me and all the kids growing up in Africa, especially Nigeria,” concluded Ekong, who was also part of his country’s under-23 squad that won bronze at Rio 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil.
