Super Eagles Defender Calls for More Respect for AFCON as 33rd Edition Set To Kick-off in Cameroon

• Nigeria defender William Troost-Ekong says that the Africa Cup of Nations should 100% be more respected
• Troost-Ekong will be making his second AFCON appearance after winning bronze with the Super Eagles in 2019
• Nigeria will take to the pitch on Tuesday, January 11 for its first game of the 2021 AFCON against the Pharaohs of Egypt

Nigeria defender and current assistant captain of the Super Eagles, Williams Troost-Ekong has called for the Africa Cup of Nations to be 100% respected by the football world the BBC reports.

The 33rd AFCON is being hosted in Cameroon with the opening game set to kick-off on Sunday, January 9 between the host nation and Burkina Faso.

Ekong who will most likely lead out the Super Eagles for their first game against Egypt on Tuesday, January 11 has now backed the call for the continent’s football tournament to be more respected by the rest of the football community.

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"There's sometimes a misunderstanding of what kind of tournament it is.

"It's on the same level as a World Cup or the Euros or Copa America. A lot of the exciting players in the Premier League are Africans. To see them all together defending their countries will be an exciting tournament, whatever people say," Troost-Ekong said.

Troost-Ekong grew up in the Netherlands and is of mixed Dutch-Nigerian heritage. The Watford defender represented the Netherlands at under-19 and under-20 levels but got his first call up by Nigeria in 2015.

Ekong helped Nigeria win a bronze medal at the Rio Olympics and has earned more than 40 caps.

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The Pharaohs have been in intense preparations ahead of Africa’s biggest football showpiece and are scheduled to travel to the host country Cameroon this Saturday, January 8 ahead of their opening fixture against the Super Eagles of Nigeria on Tuesday, January 11.