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