Sports
William Troost-Ekong Reveals His 2026 Dream, Comments On Super Eagles Coach Saga
William Troost-Ekong and his team failed to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Based on his age, 30, the next World Cup could be his last chance of playing at the prestigious tournament.
Ahead of the tournament, the Super Eagles have played two qualification games, and the two games ended in draws. They are currently sitting in third place, a point behind second-place South Africa, and two points behind first-place Rwanda.
In June, William Troost-Ekong who currently plays for Greek club, PAOK FC, might watch from home when the Super Eagles take on South Africa and Benin Republic in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. Note that the Eagles’ vice-captain is currently battling to recover from a fitness issue.
In an interview with Segun Odegbami on Eagle FM, Troost-Ekong was asked about his availability for the 2025 AFCON, he replied that he will be available for the tournament, adding that he aims to play at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
“Yes, I will be available for the 2025 AFCON but the 2026 World Cup is my main target and I feel I am coming to the best year of my career. I feel good physically and I am recovering well now. I feel more motivated than before to be part of history and join some of the great stars who have won one trophy before”, he said.
“So that is one thing I want to achieve in my career. And I know I need to play well at club level to put myself in the picture and we have the chance to do so hopefully next year in Morocco. It will be better than we did in Cote d’Ivoire.”
Meanwhile, William Troost-Ekong told Odegbami that he wishes to see the Super Eagles being coached by a Nigerian but wouldn’t mind a foreign tactician.
Note that the team has been without a coach since Jose Peseiro’s contract with the NFF expired on February 29, 2024.
Troost-Ekong said, “I think that will be the ideal situation for our team to be honest.
“I said that because I have seen Senegal for example, what they achieve with their coach. Ivory Coast now, they changed their coach in the middle of the tournament.
“There is something that has to be said about a coach understanding the culture of a country, players, and daily route having been there before as a player, playing at the AFCON.”
He continued,“But on the other hand, I can’t dismiss having a foreign coach because my experience under Gernot Rohr was so very good. We went to the World Cup and AFCON semi-finals in Egypt.
“Under Jose Peseiro, there were a lot of criticisms before the tournament and the year leading after it. And for him to take us to the AFCOn final, it’s a lot of achievement for him.
“For me, I like to think beyond nationalities and political positions. I like to think whatever decision that will be made will be the best for the team.”
Nigerian sprinter Favour Ofili made a spectacular debut at the Paris 2024 Olympics, delivering an impressive performance in the women’s 200m event.
After a disappointing setback in the women’s 100m, Ofili showcased her resilience by clinching victory in her heat with a new season’s best time of 22.24 seconds on Sunday, August 4. The victory has qualified her for the 2024 Olympics 200m women’s semi-finals which will take place this evening.
Argentine football icon, Lionel Messi, has stressed that he doesn’t care how much movement he makes in a game as people continue to take note of his walking technique.
In recent times, videos of Lionel Messi practically walking while his team are off the ball have kept many football enthusiasts talking. Many believe that it is a technique to prevent being injured, some say he does that because other players are doing the hard work for him.
But in an interview with Clank Media, Lionel Messi who turned 37-year-old earlier today, June 24, 2024, said not running when he is off the ball has been a part of his game from his days at his boyhood club, Newell, in his native country, Argentina.
“When I was at Newell’s, there were two or three times a week we were sent to run around the grounds. I used to hide behind a tree. Running without a ball was never my thing. Heh”, Lionel Messi said.
“I have always been very self-critical. I am the first to know what I do right and what I do wrong. When I walk, I analyse the opponent’s positioning, how we stand when we don’t have the ball, get away from the marker and be able to initiate a counterattack.
“I don’t pay much attention to GPS, statistics or data. I never cared how much I ran in a match.”
Note that Lionel Messi had used his walking technique while off the ball to win virtually everything in world football including 10 La Liga titles, four Champions League, one FIFA World Cup, and a record 8 Ballon d’Or.
In just two matchdays in the ongoing European Championship (Euro 2024), three countries have secured their place in the tournament’s round of 16.
Interestingly, the Three Lions of England and France, seen as the Super favourites to win the Euro 2024, will have to wait until the last day of the group stage to confirm their place.
Earlier today, June 22, 2024, Portugal’s national team, ably led by five-time Ballon d’Or winner, Cristiano Ronaldo, defeated Turkey 3-0 to book themselves a place in the round of 16.
Goals from Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes, and an own goal from Samet Akaydin made all the difference.
Ronaldo provided an assist for Portugal’s third goal, which was his 7th in the history of the tournament, and the all-time highest in the European Championship.
Recall that Portugal defeated the Czech Republic 2-1 in their opening game in Group F. Hence, the Portuguese side now have 6 points in two games.
Whether or not they beat Georgia in their last group stage game on Wednesday, June 26, the Portuguese side will play in the round of 16. However, they need to win the game to ensure they finish top of Group F.
Other two teams that have already booked themselves a place in the Euro 2024 round of 16 with a game in hand are the hosts, Germany, and Spain.
Germany are topping Group A with 6 points in 2 games, while Spain are topping Group B with 6 points in two games.
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