Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong is in a race to be fit for next month’s FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe after an injury, www.aclsports.com reports.
Ekong, 31, was replaced in the 70th minute of his Saudi Pro League side Al-Kholood’s 0-2 loss at Al Orobah on Valentine’s Day after copping what looked like a calf injury with his side trailing 0-1 at that point.
The former Udinese defender has since travelled to Europe to receive more treatment on the injury and he is hopeful it will heal sufficiently before the crucial national team assignments come calling.
“William is in Europe and hopeful to get sufficient treatment within this week. As the warrior that he is, he is doing all he can to be fit for those crucial world cup qualifiers,” a source informed ACLSports on Monday.
New Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle will be banking on the participation of Ekong in the upcoming games considering the influence the Netherlands-born player has wielded in the colours of the Nigerian national team.
Nigeria have only lost two of the last twelve matches that Ekong participated in which includes the loss by a second string side to Rwanda last November. Ekong missed the Eagles’ last two World Cup qualifying games last June and will be keen of being available to help the team in the forthcoming games.
Nigeria will face the Amavubis of Rwanda in Kigali on March 21 before returning to Uyo to face the Brave Warriors of Zimbabwe on March 25 in two matches that will have huge ramifications on the Super Eagles’ World Cup qualification.
