Troost-Ekong eyes return for Super Eagles in 2026 World Cup Qualifiers

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William Troost-Ekong celebrates Super Eagles' victory over Ghana with Jollof rice

Super Eagles vice-captain William Troost-Ekong is aiming to make a comeback to the squad for their crucial 2026 World Cup qualifiers against South Africa and Benin Republic.

Troost-Ekong, who shone brightly during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, sustained an injury during Nigeria’s campaign but continued to excel despite the setback, earning him recognition as the tournament’s standout player.

Speaking with CNN, Troost-Ekong revealed his hopes of returning to contention before the end of the season, potentially making him available for Nigeria’s international fixtures in June.

“I should be back and fit again in May, but I think it’s probably season over. You never know how rehab will go, but I don’t want to rush it because, at my tender age of 30, you have to be smart about these injuries,” he stated.

However, the PAOK Salonique player emphasised the need for a cautious approach to his recovery, prioritizing his long-term fitness over immediate returns to the pitch.

“I want to be 100% for next season, 100% right. If I can play at the end of this season, that’s great, if not then I will be ready for next season,” he added.

Troost-Ekong also shared details about his injury, a torn bicep femoris, sustained during the tournament, and how he managed to play through the pain during AFCON matches.

“I had a torn bicep femoris, which is basically the outside part of the hamstring. It happened during the tournament, and I think I had a small tear initially in the second group stage game against Cote d’Ivoire. I managed to play on, and then after the final, I had another MRI, and we realized it was really ruptured,” he explained.

Despite the challenges, Troost-Ekong persevered, relying on pain management techniques to continue contributing to the team’s success.

“Nigeria is set to host South Africa at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium and travel to Benin Republic for their upcoming qualifiers in June,” he concluded, hopeful for his return to the national team fold.