Good news! Super Eagles captain William Ekong returns to full training as crucial World Cup qualifiers approach
It is good news for Nigeria as William Troost-Ekong has returned to full training at Greek club side PAOK Saloniki, months after undergoing surgery, reports Soccernet.ng.
The 30-year-old underwent surgery days after his Player of the Tournament performance at the Africa Cup of Nations in January, where Nigeria finished as runners up to the hosts.
Ekong played through pain after he ruptured the biceps femoris in his right leg from the second game against Cote dāIvoire. But he delivered an intensive and gritty performance where he scored three goals as he led Nigeria to the final.
What happened to Ekong?
He was immediately sidelined after the Afcon as he required minor surgery in Finland. The defender took his time to recuperate in London before returning to Thessaloniki where he granted audience to Soccernet in a wide-ranging interview.
He told Soccernet how he overcame the odds to play the tournament of his life to emerge as the choice of the technical team as the tournamentās MVP.
āI was very driven, even more than before,ā Ekong said. āI always seem to do best when Iāve got my back against the wall. And I didnāt look back.ā
Greek title run in
Soccernet can exclusively reveal that Ekong is expected to be selected in the match day squads for the three remaining championship play-off matches of the Greek Super League, as PAOK chase AEK for the title.
PAOK sit second place on 71 points, four behind AEK, as they welcome both Olympiakos on Sunday and Panathinaikos on Wednesday before playing their final game at local rivals Aris in the Thessaloniki derby.
This should give Ekong enough match fitness ahead of the summer break where he is expected to return to the Super Eagles as they hope to get their World Cup qualifying campaign back in good stead under new national team manager, Finidi George.
Ā Ekong had high praise for the new manager who he grew up watching at Ajax in our recent interview:
āHe is always very humble, too humble for what he has achieved. Everyone recognizes the work he did for Enyimba last year when he won the league. So, for him to now get the chance to be the interim head coach [now the full-time head coach], I am very happy to see that. Heās a great guy.ā
Nigeria will face South Africa and Benin Republic in two key matches that will determine their chances at reaching the 2026 FIFA World Cup to be hosted by the USA, Canada and Mexico.
They drew their first two matches 1-1 against Lesotho and Zimbabwe in Group C.
āHe is too humble for what he has achieved.ā
William Troost Ekong when I asked about Finidi George as manager of Nigeriaās Super Eagles.
What do you think? @soccernet_ng pic.twitter.com/WXzbbLTyUj
ā Lolade Adewuyi (@Jololade) May 7, 2024
Giving back to the society
Ekong will launch his charity foundation in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom state capital on June 2, with a novelty match involving several football legends and entertainers.
He told Soccernet that he wants to give back to the society in order to inspire the next generation. He plans to build a school among many other projects that will come to life via the foundation.
āThe biggest thing for me is to create opportunity. I really want to make a mark. I think Iām blessed. Iām very lucky. And I feel it would be a wasted opportunity if I didnāt use my voice now and some of the influence that I have to really do something back home,ā Ekong said.
Lolade Adewuyi
Lolade Adewuyi is a writer and journalist who has covered four FIFA World Cups, a Confederations Cup and two AFCONS. He is the Managing Editor of Soccernet Media Limited. Email: lolade at soccernet.com.ng
