National Teams
William Troost-Ekong backs players’ European success can inspire AFCON glory
By Monsurah Olatunji
Nigeria captain, William Troost-Ekong has admitted that Nigerian footballers’ European success has inspired the Super Eagles to win titles for the nation.
This season, many Nigerian players have played vital roles at their various clubs across the world, and they have reaped the fruits, as some of them have enjoyed success in terms of trophies.
The 2023 AFCON Player of the Tournament, was one of 12 Nigerians to celebrate title wins in Europe this season as he won the Greece league with PAOK.
The 30-year-old highlighted the growing “winners’ mentality” among Nigerian footballers, and how it will effect the Super Eagles going forward.
“It’s exactly what we want, creating that winners’ mentality,” Troost-Ekong told Pulse Sports during a meet and greet in Lagos.
“Maybe we have seven or eight titles of Nigerian players which is amazing. Someone mentioned that ‘if you want to win a title now you need to sign a Nigerian’. So, that is what we all like to hear.
“The same way last year we had some fantastic players do amazing things, now it looks like it’s going to be an upward trajectory for Nigerian football.
“So, like I said, winning mentality, let’s bring that home and try to win the next AFCON.”