Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong has expressed optimism that the newly appointed Head Coach, Finidi George will help the team to bring home the 2025 AFCON trophy.
While expressing excitement over Finidi’s appointment, Ekong, in an interview with ARISE NEWS on Thursday, highlighted the importance of having a Nigerian coach who has a deep understanding of Nigerian football culture.
“We all know that we want to win the World Cup in 2026. Coach Finidi has been appointed now which everyone is very happy about, someone who understands Nigerian football. He has been our assistant for a while and deserves to be the head Coach.
“I think it is great to see we have a Nigerian coach as the head coach of the super eagles. The last three AFCONS have shown that every time someone’s won, they have an ex-player or someone who is being associated with the country or born there.
“To coach a team, i think you have to have knowledge of the culture, maybe with Nigeria, the magnitude and pressure they have playing in the green, white and green.
“So, I think we are all happy to have Finidi George as the head coach. I am really looking forward to the next 2025 AFCON in Morocco and I have a very strong belief that Coach Finidi can help us get the trophy back home.”
Addressing broader issues, Ekong pointed out the lack of access to opportunities as one of the main challenges faced by young Nigerians.
He said “The biggest challenge we have here in Nigeria and Africa in general is the opportunity. One thing i was quite lucky with is the fact that i was born in the Netherland and went to school in the UK, I had a very good upbringing which i think is the reason my father was not too happy for me to leave to play football which is understandable and now what I am trying to create in Uyo is a chance for children to not only play sports but also to have an education and there are also several foundations we are adopting in that work.
“We are trying to give them the chance and opportunity. That is one thing that is a great challenge in Africa, in Nigeria. It is something I am trying to tackle in my own way but it is going to be a collective effort to get there.”
Ekong’s commitment to giving back is embodied in his Troost-Ekong Foundation which he said has been his life long dream.
“It was always a dream for me to have a legacy project. I think I wanted to do something while in my playing career and giving back is what I think all of the players have been doing and wants to do and it is a way to show the love that we have been given especially after the latest AFCON. So, starting back home in Uyo with my Troost-Ekong Foundation is a perfect way to start and it is a long-term project I am looking to get started on.”
As the Super Eagles prepare for crucial World Cup qualifiers against South Africa and Benin, Ekong has noted that he is focused on regaining full fitness.
“I have been working on getting fit to give the coach the possibility to have me there. But these are definitely key games against South Africa and Benin to get the ticket towards the world cup in 2026.”
Chioma Kalu
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