Super Eagles defender, William Troost-Ekong has revealed that the duo of Alex Iwobi and Leon Balogun advised him not to retire from the senior national team prior to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
Ekong, who played a key part in the team’s progress to the final of the tournament, where Nigeria lost 2-1 to Ivory Coast, told CNN World Sport’s Amanda Davies that Iwobi and Balogun motivated him before the competition.
The PAOK star shared that discussions with Alex Iwobi and Leon Balogun led him to reminisce about his early days with the Super Eagles, particularly the pride he felt making his debut under the late Stephen Keshi.
“I spoke with some of the players I have been with [in the national team] for a long time. For example Alex Iwobi, Leon Balogun,” the former Watford star said.
“They all said that they thought it would be a real shame. They felt I still have a lot to give, which made me think about my younger self [When I first made my debut for the team]. It gives my younger self a better end.”
“So that was what changed my mind really.”
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