Troost-Ekong ‘proud to have represented Nigeria’ despite W’Cup ouster

Following their exit from the 2018 FIFA World Cup, Super Eagles defender William Troost-Ekong says he is proud to have represented Nigeria at the world stage.

The Netherland-born of a Nigerian family opted to play for the country of his parents in June 2015, having already represented the Netherlands at under-19 and under-20 youth levels.

The Eagles fell to a fifth defeat in their fifth meeting with Argentina at the mundial – a result that ended their hopes of reaching the knockout stages of the competition.

It was a disappointing night on Tuesday as the team crashed out of the Russia showpiece after failing to hold on to a draw needed to see them through, as a late Marcos Rojo goal sent the Argentines to the round of 16.

Troost-Ekong, who was in tears after the defeat, said the feeling was hard to describe.

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“Hard to describe in words how that felt. It was an emotional rollercoaster,” the Turkey-based player tweeted on Wednesday.

“We gave everything against Argentina last night. I’m grateful and proud to have represented Nigeria and all Nigerians at this World Cup. But most of all I am humbled and thank God for bringing me this far,” he wrote.

Ekong isn’t the only defender talking about the defeat. His partner in the popular ‘oyinbo wall’ defence of the team, Leon Balogun, has also been quoted by FIFA as saying:

“We showed the world that Nigeria has talented players. We showed that we are a footballing nation, and if the team stays together I hope that we can give an even better account of ourselves in four years’ time.”

Team captain John Mikel Obi has earlier said his ‘young teammates’ will be fully ready to play in the global stage in the next four years when the games will be hosted in Qatar.

If Nigeria qualify for the showpiece, it will be their 7th appearance at the mundial.

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