Afcon 2023: Nigeria captain Troost-Ekong has high hopes for ‘best’ Super Eagles team

Nigeria captain William Troost-Ekong says the current Super Eagles team might be the best he has played in.

His side beat hosts Ivory Coast to all but seal qualification to the knockout stage of the Africa Cup of Nations.

A victory against Guinea-Bissau, who have lost their two opening games, in their final group-stage match on Monday will ensure the Super Eagles’ passage.

“It is so early still, but my belief in the team has stayed the same,” said Troost-Ekong.

The 30-year-old, who won his first cap in 2015, added: “If I look at the players we have now, I think it might be the best team I have played in for Nigeria.

“That is with all due respect to some of the legends that have been there.”

The PAOK centre-back, who was born in the Netherlands and educated in England, has been a regular in his country’s backline since his debut.

This is his third Afcon and he was also part of the side defeated by Argentina at the 2018 World Cup.

Troost-Ekong, who took the penalty that was enough to seal the win over the Ivorians in the second group-stage match, has backed the “most exciting attack in Africa” to light up the tournament.

Equally, the five-man defence received great praise for their performance – something Troost-Ekong believes was well deserved.

“I was not surprised, I know what the defenders can do as well and I believe so much in this group,” he said.

“I think we have maybe been underrated a little bit defensively.”