Troost Ekong Nears Injury Comeback: Nigeria Captain Delights Super Eagles Fans With Latest Update

Troost Ekong Nears Injury Comeback: Nigeria Captain Delights Super Eagles Fans With Latest Update

Lukman Mumuni
updated at April 18, 2024 at 7:05 AM
In this article:
William Troost-Ekong logo
W. Troost-Ekong
PAOK Saloniki logoDNigeria logo
Nigeria logo
Nigeria
Nigeria
21
FIFA World Cup logo
FIFA World Cup
International
PAOK Saloniki logo
PAOK Saloniki
Greece
32
Super Eagles logo
Super Eagles
South Africa
South Africa logo
South Africa
South Africa
27
Benin logo
Benin
Benin
54
  • William Troost-Ekong is nearing a comeback from injury
  • The Nigeria captain picked up a knock at the 2023 AFCON
  • Troost-Ekong was named the best player of the tournament

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Super Eagles captain, William Troost-Ekong, could make an injury comeback before the end of the season after sharing a positive update on his health.

The Greece-based defender has not kicked a ball since the end of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast, where he led Nigeria to second place.

Troost-Ekong was also adjudged the Player of the Tournament after scoring three goals, including one in the final against the host nation - Ivory Coast.

William Troost-Ekong, Nigeria, AFCON, Super Eagles, World Cup Qualifiers, Ivory Coast
William Troost-Ekong, who could make his return from injury ahead of time, celebrates after scoring for Nigeria against Ivory Coast at AFCON 2023. Credit: Franck Fife.
Source: Getty Images

However, after the tournament, it was discovered that the former Watford centre-back played through pain in the latter stages of the competition.

An injury forced him to pull out of club activities at PAOK Thessaloniki and he also missed the international friendlies against Ghana and Mali in March.

In a post on social media, Troost-Ekong wrote using pidgin and English, 'Back soon. We go run am asap' - translated as 'I will be back in action soon'.

The Dutch-Nigerian defender has become a fan favourite due to his dedication to the national team, showing up for Nigeria whenever he is needed.

His return will be a welcome boost for the Super Eagles ahead of June's 2026 World Cup qualifiers against South Africa and Benin, per Soccernet NG.

Troost-Ekong opens up on injury

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Troost-Ekong stated he could not walk after tearing his bicep femoris during Nigeria’s Africa Cup of Nations campaign in Ivory Coast.

The Super Eagles captain suffered a knock early in the tournament and this only got more serious as the competition continued, all the way up to the final against the hosts.

Troost-Ekong celebrates Nigeria's victory over Ghana

Sports Brief also reported that Troost-Ekong trolled Ghana's Black Stars following Nigeria's friendly win over Ghana in March.

The West African rivals faced off for the first time since 2022 in a friendly in Marrakech, with the Super Eagles claiming the win.

Goals from Cyriel Dessers and Ademola Lookman handed the AFCON finalist a 2-1 win and also broke a streak dating to 2006.

Authors
Lukman Mumuni photo
Lukman Mumuni
Lukman Abdul Mumin is a Sports Journalist based in Accra, Ghana. He has been writing for the past five years. Lukman joined Sports Brief as an Editor for the Local Desk in 2022.