Super Eagles defender William Troost-Ekong has expressed deep admiration for his teammates after they endured a challenging situation during their recent trip to Libya, Nigeriasoccernet.com can report.
The team faced significant adversity, which ultimately led to the cancellation of their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying match against Libya, originally scheduled as part of matchday four.
The Nigerian national team experienced substandard treatment upon their arrival in Libya on Sunday, a situation that prompted both players and officials to pull out of the scheduled fixture. After facing these difficulties, the team was flown out of Libya on Monday evening, bringing an end to their short but turbulent stay in the North African country.
In the wake of the incident, Troost-Ekong took to social media to commend his teammates for their resilience and unity in the face of such adversity. Sharing his thoughts on X, the experienced defender expressed pride in the strength of the Super Eagles, highlighting the camaraderie that has been further strengthened by the ordeal.
"Proud of this team. The Naija spirit is unbreakable," Troost-Ekong wrote. "Throw at us whatever you want; it’s in our blood to overcome. In my 10 years with this squad, I’ve seen a lot, but nothing quite like this. This experience has only brought us closer together."
The 30-year-old center-back, who has represented Nigeria in several major tournaments, including the World Cup and AFCON, stressed that despite the incident, their focus remains firmly on achieving success for Nigerian football. He also reiterated his commitment to the team’s AFCON campaign, stating: "Our goal of doing the best for Nigerian football won’t ever change. I look forward to continuing our journey to AFCON 2025 in November."
Troost-Ekong's leadership and loyalty have been pivotal to the Super Eagles' defense over the years, and his message underscores the strong sense of unity within the team as they prepare to move forward with their AFCON 2025 qualification campaign. Despite this setback, the Super Eagles remain determined to secure their spot in the tournament and bring glory to Nigerian football.
Oluwayemi Omolagba