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Nigeria's William Troost-Ekong's bold confession on club vs. country conflict about AFCON.
William Troost-Ekong, the captain of the Super Eagles, has shared insights into the challenges he faces regarding club commitments when representing Nigeria, particularly in light of CAF’s flagship competition, the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Speaking on a podcast with former teammate Ben Foster, Troost-Ekong revealed that he often encounters resistance from clubs when it comes to international duty at AFCON.
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“Yeah, I do,” Troost-Ekong stated as he reflected on his experience while at Watford, where he faced difficulties as clubs were reluctant to release players for national duty.
He recalled a notable instance involving compatriot Emmanuel Dennis, who infamously opted not to join the national team while Troost-Ekong did.
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“I think everybody remembers how it was with [Emmanuel] Dennis as well at the time because he actually didn’t go and I did go,” he noted.
The defender noted the importance of communication with clubs about international obligations.
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“When I was in PAOK, I made it a clear point when I signed to say ‘well, it’s an AFCON year, I’ll most likely going to be going,’ so just keep that in mind. I hope you guys are happy with it. So they kind of agreed to it,” he explained.
However, he also acknowledged the pressure from club managers who often urge players to delay their departure for international duty.
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“When the time comes and you have to leave, the manager is always going to be like ‘try and play one more game before you go, try and go late, make sure you come back.’ Then, if you come back with a ripped hamstring, then it’s not going down well,” he added.
Troost-Ekong's honest remarks shed light on the ongoing struggle many African players face balancing club and country commitments.
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With Nigeria ready for AFCON 2025 in Morocco, Troost-Ekong’s leadership and experience will be crucial for the Super Eagles as they aim for success on the continental stage.
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