From Struggle to Triumph: William Troost-Ekong's Inspiring Journey to the AFCON Final

From the thrill of leading his team to the top to the heartbreak of losing the lead, ****Nigerian captain William Troost-Ekong's recent Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final was filled with ups and downs. However, he is no stranger to unpredictable journeys.

Just six months ago, the Super Eagles captain was thinking about quitting international football altogether due to disagreements with coach José Peseiro. Tasked with motivating a team still reeling from the disappointment of missing out on the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Troost-Ekong was worried about how he was being treated by the Portuguese manager.

In a recent interview with CNN World Sport's Amanda Davies, the defender shared that a disagreement led to a few months of not speaking. During that time, his pride and ego took over, causing him to consider stopping. Fortunately, his support system helped him through it.

Subsequent conversations with family and friends brought back memories of the 30-year-old's international debut in 2015. Troost-Ekong, who has a Dutch mother, initially played for The Netherlands at a youth level. However, he later decided to play for his father's homeland, Nigeria, and has earned over 70 caps since then.

Reflecting on this decision, he shared, "[It] made me think about my younger self and how much it meant and how proud I was to play my first game [for Nigeria]."

“I deserved to give my younger self a better ending. So that was the thing that changed my mind … I think my career has always been a testament of not giving up.”

Through gritted teeth

Troost-Ekong landed in the Ivory Coast for the 34th AFCON as the captain of a team that was still reeling from their recent failure to qualify for the World Cup after a long streak since 2006.

The Super Eagles had a shaky start in the group stage, drawing 1-1 against Equatorial Guinea. However, they bounced back with consecutive 1-0 victories over the hosts, Ivory Coast, and Guinea Bissau. Troost-Ekong played a crucial role in securing the wins, including a penalty goal in the match against Ivory Coast, ensuring their spot in the knockout stages.

Captain William Troost-Ekong (center, number 5) celebrates after scoring a penalty during Nigeria's AFCON semi-final match against South Africa on February 7, 2024.

Captain William Troost-Ekong (center, number 5) celebrates after scoring a penalty during Nigeria's AFCON semi-final match against South Africa on February 7, 2024.

Issouf Sanogo/AFP/Getty Images

It was hard-fought progress for the captain, who had picked up a hamstring injury in an early match but continued to play through often-excruciating pain.

He remembered many moments when he had to grit his teeth just to catch his breath.

Having access to powerful painkillers and a surge of adrenaline can sometimes push you to achieve more than you ever thought possible.

After winning against Cameroon and Angola, the team faced South Africa in the semi-finals. The captain, Troost-Ekong, once again showed his leadership skills by scoring a crucial penalty during regular time. He then confidently converted another spot kick during the shoot-out, securing a spot for his team in the final match in Abidjan.

Chiamaka Nnadozie celebrates Nigeria's third goal against Australia at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup.

Chiamaka Nnadozie celebrates Nigeria's third goal against Australia at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup.

Matt Roberts/FIFA/Getty Images

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A rematch with Ivory Coast was set up at Alassane Ouattara Stadium. Despite the home support, it was the visitors who were close to winning the trophy after 30 minutes. Troost-Ekong scored a powerful header to give them the lead once again.

However, the hosts fought back in the second half, equalizing the score before Sebastian Haller scored the winning goal just 10 minutes before the end of the game. This secured a third AFCON crown for Les Éléphants and left Nigerian fans heartbroken.

Troost-Ekong expressed regret for not being more aggressive in attempting to score a second goal. He believed that waiting to see what would happen was not the best approach.

He observed that the opposing team gained confidence as the game progressed, especially with the support of their fans. The momentum shifted completely in their favor after they scored the equalizer.

Despite the loss, the captain of the Super Eagles found some good things to take away from reaching the final and believes it helped mend any remaining disagreements with Peseiro. "He helped us establish a clear identity during this tournament, something that was lacking before," the captain explained.

Exciting Times Ahead

Exciting times are ahead for Troost-Ekong and his team as they prepare for more changes. Recently, Peseiro made an announcement about the end of his contract with the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF). He expressed his pride and honor in coaching the Super Eagles.

Photo-Illustration: CNN/Getty Images

He ignored a Linkedin message once but not the second time. When Roberto ‘Pico’ Lopes responded, his life changed forever.

Troost-Ekong’s future is similarly open-ended. In a club career that has taken him from Holland through Belgium, Turkey, Italy and the English Premier League with Watford, he is enjoying his football at Greek side PAOK Thessaloniki, but refused to rule out another change of scenery eventually.

"I am really happy at PAOK, but in football, you never know what the future holds. There might be opportunities for something bigger and better," he confessed.

"Being 30 years old, it's important to explore all possibilities. It's definitely something I will think about."

Editor's P/S:

The article paints a vivid picture of William Troost-Ekong's rollercoaster ride at the Africa Cup of Nations. From the highs of leading his team to the final to the lows of losing the lead and ultimately the trophy, his journey was filled with both triumph and heartbreak. It is a testament to his resilience and determination that he was able to overcome personal challenges and lead his team to the brink of victory.

Beyond the tournament itself, the article also delves into Troost-Ekong's personal struggles and motivations. His decision to play for Nigeria despite his Dutch heritage, and his subsequent commitment to the team despite disagreements with the coach, speak to his loyalty and passion. His journey reminds us that success is often born out of adversity, and that even in the face of setbacks, it is important to persevere and chase our dreams.