Eagles captain Troost-Ekong launches campaign to end Africa’s ‘Neglected Diseases’

[FILES] Nigeria’s defender William Troost-Ekong (R) celebrates after scoring his team’s second goal during the Group D Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2021 football match between Guinea-Bissau and Nigeria at Stade Roumde Adjia in Garoua on January 19, 2022. (Photo by Daniel BELOUMOU OLOMO / AFP)

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Super Eagles captain and Watford of England defender, William Troost-Ekong, is leading Team Thrive Africa in a fight against Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs).

Troost-Ekong, who excelled at the recently concluded Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroun despite the team’s early exit, is captaining a new team tagged ‘The Game of Our Lives,’ a social action platform.

He told The Guardian in a zoom meeting conducted by the Campaign Coordinator, Kate Lowe, in London, on Monday, that he decided to join forces with the END Fund to lead its Thrive Africa team in taking action to eliminate NTDs in the continent.

Nigerian defender William Troost-Ekong talks during a press conference in Garoua, January 18, 2022, on the eve of the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) football match between Nigeria anf Guinea-Bissau. (Photo by Daniel Beloumou Olomo / AFP)

“In addition to health challenges, NTDs can lead to social isolation and stigmatisation that affect both children and adults by reducing the number of years of education completed, future earning potential and overall economic productivity.

“The mission of Thrive Africa is to build a team of social activists, who can work together to address these issues, empowering Africa to thrive, not just survive.

“I am incredibly proud of my African heritage. It is always a huge honour to represent Nigeria on the football pitch, and now I want to represent Africa off the pitch,” he