William Troost Ekong gets FIFA The Best Defender nomination

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

Nigeria’s senior men’s national team captain, William Troost Ekong, is amongst 22 players nominated for the 2024 FIFA The Best Defenders.

The 31-year-old has been influential for the Super Eagles and his clubs, PAOK and Al Kholood.

He led the three-time African champions to the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cote d’Ivoire earlier this year.

His heroic display earned him the Most Valuable Player of the Tournament, as he also made the team of the tournament despite playing through injuries.

He has scored a goal in 10 league games for Al Kholood so far from his defensive position.

The former Watford defender will battle it out with 21 other players, including Manuel Akanji, Frimpong, and Achraf Hakimi, for the prize.

Others are Bastoni, Bremer, Cacace, Dani Carvajal, Dante, Alphonso Davies, Ruben Dias, Dimarco, Grimaldo, Mat Hummels, Johnston, and Laporte.

Magalhaes, Otamendi, Rudiger, William Saliba, Tah, and

Oluwaseun Oyediji

Oluwaseun Babatunde Oyediji is a multi-media sports journalist with over 10 years experience in Information Communication Technology (ICT), women's football, and beach soccer reportage.The prolific writer is the Media Assistant to Nigeria Beach Soccer League and Africa Beach Soccer Union as well as contributor on Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) website.He has covered multiple national and international football tournaments including Championship of African Nations (CHAN 2020), CAF Women's Champions League (2023), and Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2023).Since 2021, Oyediji has covered the NWFL Premiership especially the season ending Super Six Playoffs.A member of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Ogun state chapter is also the image maker of the Remo Sports Development Council under the leadership of Chief Falilat Ogunkoya and David Osuolale.

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