I will sacrifice anything to attend 2023 AFCON, says Troost-Ekong

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 and Guinea-Bissau. (Photo by Daniel Beloumou Olomo / AFP)

PAOK Thessaloniki FC defender William Troost-Ekong said on Thursday that he is willing to sacrifice anything to play at the 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cote d’Ivoire.

Troost-Ekong, who appears to have been ostracised from the Super Eagles following the decision of coach Jose Peseiro not to invite him, made this known to Nigerian journalist Oma Akatugba.

The defender was surprisingly not called up by Peseiro to play for Nigeria during the last two international breaks, despite being a regular starter for his Greek Super League club, PAOK.

Akatugba asked him, having featured for the Super Eagles in two AFCON tournaments, Egypt 2019 and Cameroon 2021, if he could sacrifice anything to play in the competition once again, just like he did at Watford.

“You know we had spoken about this with PAOK when I joined them because, at that time, I was the captain of the Super Eagles of Nigeria,” the centre-back told Akatugba.

“And I said yes, we worked very hard as a team to qualify for the AFCON, and of course, it is my dream to go there and win the trophy, so my club is aware of the situation.

“Of course now in the last few months, I have had the situation where I have had to rethink everything, really and it will be a big sacrifice, especially how everything is going here the club.

“So, I would love to do that again. But you have to feel the appreciation, of course and get the invite, so we will see about that, but I will just keep working hard on my club.

“I will just continue to give my best