Super Eagles defender William Troost-Ekong, who was crowned Player of the Tournament at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), will be out of action for an extended period of time.
Troost-Ekong is set to undergo “minor surgery” in Finland this week to repair a thigh injury he picked up in Nigeria’s second group stage game against eventual winners and hosts Ivory Coast, a game in which he scored the only goal.
???????? Nigeria captain William Troost-Ekong, in Finland for minor surgery.
The injury occurred during the 2nd group stage game vs Ivory Coast.
Despite the injury, William became Player of the Tournament… and he’s expected to return to play for PAOK towards the end of the season. pic.twitter.com/M9NQTfPTwu
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) February 26, 2024
Troost-Ekong, who wore a strap on his right thigh throughout the remainder of the tournament, missed Nigeria’s final group game against Guinea-Bissau.
The 30-year-old scored three goals at the AFCON 2023, including opening the scoring in the final, which the Super Eagles lost 2-1 to the Elephants of Ivory Coast. He went on to break Stephen Keshi’s record as Nigeria’s highest-scoring defender in the AFCON and was also included in the team of the tournament.
It has now been confirmed that Troost-Ekong suffered a ruptured biceps femoris in his right thigh, and the PAOK FC defender is expected to return towards the end of the season.
