Hornets defender and Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong is one of a number of Watford players to have made a successful start to the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cameroon.
The 28-year-old led Nigeria to a 1-0 victory over a talented Egyptian team in their opening encounter of Group D on Tuesday. Troost-Ekong was delighted with the result, especially after securing a significant clean sheet.
“It was a great performance, for the team to start in such a way,” said Watford’s No.5.
“It was great to start the tournament off in this fashion. Obviously, everyone was talking about Mo Salah before the game and deservedly so because he is the man in form. I thought the boys did very well and we were unlucky not to score more goals.
“It was a great team effort and performance defensively because I think we cut off the supply to Salah, which was their game plan. Then any moments where he did have the ball, we did well to outnumber him, so he never really had any clear runs at goal bar one. I think we managed to control it well.”
Alongside Troost-Ekong, Hornets goalkeeper Maduka Okoye - who is on loan at Dutch outfit Sparta Rotterdam - made his first appearance for Nigeria at the Africa Cup of Nations. The Super Eagles captain was pleased for his teammate, who helped preserve the shutout.
“We had a few players making their debuts at AFCON including Maduka, who is a Watford player now,” he said.
“I think he’s been very consistent since he came in, which can be quite rare for a young goalkeeper. I remember his first game where he made his debut against Brazil in Singapore, in a friendly game two years ago, and ever since he has been very consistent.
“He is always coming for the ball, talks a lot during the game and is reliable which is the main thing you want from someone behind you. He is a calming presence to our team and I’m really comfortable playing with him. I think he’s enjoying the opportunity to step up and secure his place as the No.1 for Nigeria.”
Nigeria’s decisive goal in Garoua came from Leicester City striker Kelechi Iheanacho, who thundered a strike past Egyptian shot-stopper Mohamed El Shenawy, with Troost-Ekong given the best view in the stadium.
“That was the most enjoyable moment of the game for me,” he said.
“I was right behind it so the moment the ball left his foot I could see it was curling into the top corner. I loved that and it’s always nice to score first, especially in the first game of the tournament. I really enjoyed that moment. Kelechi has been in form over the past few months, and we have so much talent in this team so it’s quite exciting to see.”
Two more important group games remain for the Super Eagles in their quest to make it into the next round of the tournament. Troost-Ekong is aware of the challenge that Sudan (January 15) and Guinea-Bissau (January 19) pose, but he is excited by the pressure.
“These upcoming games are massive,” he said.
“That’s the most difficult thing about tournament football because the games come so quickly so you can’t really get carried away. However much we enjoyed [the victory against Egypt], the conversations since have been about Sudan and Guinea-Bissau which are coming up after that. We know that we need to get another win if we want to get out of the group which is our focus.”
Troost-Ekong’s target now is to go one better than the previous AFCON tournament where the Super Eagles just missed out to Algeria in the final four, and the defender believes it’s possible with the adoring support of the Nigeria faithful.
“For me, leaving Watford at the time in the difficult situation that we are in, I didn’t want to leave without making this a meaningful tournament,” Troost-Ekong said.
“I’ve set my sights on trying to go all the way. Last AFCON we got to the semi-finals and only missed out in the last minute. This time we want to do better, I don’t want to waste my time here because I would want to help Watford. I want to go and win because at least when I get back home, I have something to show for it. That’s my objective.
“The Nigerian fans are very passionate, and I think we have 220 million Nigerians – therefore you always feel the support. The opener was great because even though we are here in Cameroon, quite a lot of supporters made the trip down. We had our usual fan club that was here and maybe 80 per cent of the stadium were cheering for us. It felt like a home game – long may that continue.”
As captain of his national side, Troost-Ekong relishes the responsibility that has been bestowed upon him. It’s a hugely proud moment for the powerful backliner who has been enjoying his time in the Nigerian camp, during preparation for tournament matches.
“Those are the things that I do it for,” he beamed.
“It’s among getting promoted to the Premier League with Watford, playing in tournaments like the World Cup and now this is the first AFCON that I’m captaining my side. These are very special moments and things you cherish for life. My family is very proud and I feel the responsibility to do my best for the team.
“When I’m playing with the armband, it’s not about me, it’s about how can I help the team as much as possible. It’s my responsibility to help some of the players who are here for the first time through some of the games and keep everyone together. It’s one of the proudest moments of my career to do it on the world stage.”
Following the arrival of the trio of signings to Watford – Hassane Kamara, Samir and Edo Kayembe – two of whom have represented nations within the continent of Africa on the international stage, Troost-Ekong is looking forward to meeting up with the new players as more talented individuals continue to make an impact from the region.
“It’s one of the things that I’m really proud of Watford for – how we have such a diverse group,” he said.
“I think everyone who comes in really tries to fit in and it’s great to see we have so many different nationalities and everyone is pulling in the same direction. It opens the door for the best players to come to a club like Watford because there is a real diversity and it’s great to see. I’m happy to see those boys join and hopefully they can have an impact over the coming months.”
Even though he might be based in Cameroon for the time being, the centre-half will be keeping updated with Watford’s results and performances throughout AFCON.
He said: “Hopefully this moment here with the national team will propel me back into helping out Watford as much as I can.
“I’m just trying to improve my form again because I think it’s been a difficult few months for me, but that is all part of it and I’m working hard to get through that and I’m going in the right direction.
“I’m following all the games and I’m gutted that I can’t be there now to help out if they needed me to, but I will be supporting and cheering the boys on.
“I’m just focused here now on doing my best with Nigeria, hopefully win the tournament and when I come back, I will be 100 per cent trying to reach our objective of staying in the Premier League.”
Elsewhere at AFCON, the Hornets’ duo of Imrân Louza and Adam Masina got off to a winning start for Morocco in matchday one in Group C, 1-0 against Ghana.
Masina started in defence for the Atlas Lions, while Louza resumed his exploits from midfield. Arsenal’s Thomas Partey went closest to breaking the deadlock for Ghana, forcing an excellent save from Yassine Bounou in net for Morocco.
It would take until the final 10 minutes for Sofiane Boufal to latch onto a loose ball to blast Morocco into the lead with an emphatic finish. Masina played the full game, while Louza was substituted just before the winning strike.
Up next for Morocco in Group C is Comoros (January 14), before their final group stage game against Gabon (January 18). They are currently level with Gabon at the top of the group.
