TheCable

William Troost-Ekong, Super Eagles defender, said he suffered an injury during the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cote d’Ivoire, but he continued playing regardless. 

Troost-Ekong played a pivotal role in Nigeria’s silver medal-winning campaign in Cote d’Ivoire.

He scored three goals and led the Eagles’ defence, which conceded just one goal from open play until the final.

The defender was also voted the player of the tournament.

However, in a post on his X account on Tuesday, Ekong said the injury he picked up during competition “has turned out to be more serious than first thought”.

He said the injury required surgery, and his focus is on returning to full fitness.

“As many know, I got injured during AFCON. Disappointingly, this injury has turned out to be more serious than first thought,” the post reads.

“I have always given everything and pushed myself. Every player has played with pain at some point in their career to fight for a club or country. It’s part of the game.

“I managed to continue in the knockout stages, and I was willing to continue to do the same now to help PAOK push for the prizes in the league & Europe, too. But after more assessments and consultations, it was the best long-term decision to undergo surgery now.

“My full focus is on getting back better than ever before.”

There are reports that the defender will undergo surgery in Finland to repair a ruptured biceps femoris in his right leg.

The injury is said to rule him out till the end of the season.