AFCON 2023 Player of The Tournament, Ekong, Releases Statement on Injury
- Super Eagles star, William Troost-Ekong, will undergo surgery after sustaining a major injury at AFCON 2023
- The 30-year-old picked up an injury in Nigeria’s group game against Ivory Coast at AFCON 2023, where he scored the winning goal from the spot, but played through the other games in pain
- Legit.ng reports that Ekong has released a statement where he disclosed that the 'best long-term decision' was to undergo the surgery immediately
Legit.ng journalist Ridwan Adeola Yusuf has over 9 years of experience covering sports and football.
Athens, Greece - Super Eagles of Nigeria vice-captain, William Troost-Ekong, has confirmed that he sustained injury during the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2023 in Ivory Coast.
Ekong, who plays as a centre-back for Super League Greece club PAOK stated in an Instagram post on Tuesday, February 27, that the injury “turned out to be more serious than first thought”.
Source: Getty Images
Super Eagles star, Ekong, to undergo surgery
The AFCON 2023 Player of The Tournament disclosed that “after more assessments and consultations it was the best decision long-term to undergo the surgery now”.
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The 30-year-old’s full post reads:
“Paok family, as many know, I got injured during AFCON. Disappointly, this injury has turned out to be more serious than first thought. I have always given everything and pushed myself. Every player has played with pain at some point in their career to fight for club or country. it's part of the game.
“I managed to continue in the knockout stages, and I was willing to continue to do the same now to help PAOK push for the prizes in the league and Europe too but after more assessments and consultations it was the best decision long-term to undergo the surgery now.
“My full focus is on getting back better than ever before.”
Expert praises Ekong
Reacting to the development, Chidiebere Anugwolu, a sports broadcaster, lauded Ekong's example.
Anugwolu said Ekong has shown an admirable height of patriotism and dedication.
He told Legit.ng:
"Ekong is a total captain. Imagine playing throughout that tough tournament with an injury from the second game to the last game of the tournament. And even won Player of the Tournament.
"I give it to him; he is a legend!"
Read more on AFCON 2023:
- "I’d go with him": Chelsea legend Jole Cole chooses between AFCON finalist Osimhen, Vlahovic, Nunez
- Full fixtures: AFCON 2025 preliminary round draw concluded; Will Nigeria play?
- Super Eagles winger who missed AFCON 2023 helps Bayer Leverkusen equal Bayern Munich’s record
AFCON top scorer, Nsue, quits int'l football
Legit.ng earlier reported that AFCON 2023 'golden boot' winner, Emilio Nsue, called it a day with the Equatorial Guinean national team.
Teodoro Nguema Mangue, the country's vice president, confirmed Nsue's retirement.
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Source: Legit.ng
