William Troost Ekong arrives Uyo for Foundation Charity Football Match

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

Nigeria defender William Troost-Ekong received a hero’s welcome upon his arrival in Uyo, the capital of Akwa Ibom State, on Friday.

The Nigeria vice captain at the last Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), where the West Africans reached the final, is in Uyo ahead of his highly anticipated charity football match featuring African legends.

Troost-Ekong first had a ‘greet and meet’ engagement in Lagos upon his arrival in Nigeria on Thursday before heading to Uyo. The Super Eagles star is set to officially launch his charity foundation this weekend, having regained fitness and returned to training after being sidelined due to an injury sustained at the 2023 AFCON tournament.

To mark the foundation’s official launch, Troost-Ekong will host a charity match at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in his home state, Akwa Ibom, on June 2. The event will feature several football legends and players, including Daniel Amokachi, Vincent Enyeama, and Ahmed Musa. Celebrities and entertainers like Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, Falz, and Odumodublvck are also expected to attend.

Although the 2023 AFCON player of the tournament is fit to face South Africa in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, he was not included in Finidi George’s squad. Nevertheless, Troost-Ekong has promised to be at the stadium to cheer the team to victory.