AFCON 2023: Ekong Names Two Players Who Prevented Him From Retiring Before Ivory Coast Tournament

• William Troost-Ekong was the standout player of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations
• The Super Eagles defender was close to retiring from the Nigerian national team
• The 30-year-old has named two players that ensured he didn't quit the national team

William Troost-Ekong was immense for the Super Eagles of Nigeria in their journey to the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Ivory Coast.

The 30-year-old defender was at the heart of every strategy Jose Peseiro's side employed through their course to the final, and it was with little surprise he was named by the competition's organising body the Player of the Tournament.

However, following the conclusion of the showpiece, the PAOK Thessaloniki star has disclosed how he almost quit the Nigerian national team and the two players who ensured he continued with the national team.

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Ekong on quitting the Super Eagles

During a conversation with CNN World Sports, the former Watford defender, who had not played for the Nigerian team in 2023, revealed that he had been on the verge of announcing his retirement from international football.

However, the intervention of former defensive partner, Leon Balogun, and midfielder, Alex Iwobi, persuaded him to reconsider.

The Dutch-born defender emphasised that Balogun and Iwobi made him reflect on his early days with the national team and the honour of representing his father's nation. He felt it would be regrettable for a player of his calibre to end his international career prematurely.

Troost-Ekong, who also emerged as Nigeria's highest goal scorer in Ivory Coast, concluded that he owed it to his younger self to finish his national team career on a higher note than he had planned when considering retirement.

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Despite the disappointment of the final, the defender stated that retirement is now far from his mind, and he is eager to build on the positives that Nigeria achieved at the AFCON.

PAOK demands compensation for Ekong

Sports Brief in another report stated that Greek Super League club, PAOK Thessaloniki, are demanding compensation from FIFA for the injury suffered by Ekong at the AFCON.

The Greek club are reported to have demanded €20,548 per day for the length of time he will be out.

The 30-year-old is expected to miss the remainder of the season following the hamstring injury.