Troost-Ekong out of Argentina game, doubtful for South Africa, Benin 2026 World Cup qualifiers in June!
Nigeria's AFCON 2023 best player to undergo surgery, to miss rest of season
William Troost-Ekong will miss next month’s international friendly game against Argentina and the two 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in June after it was revealed Monday evening that he will undergo surgery on Tuesday to repair a ruptured biceps femoris in his right leg.
Troost-Ekong was said to have picked up the injury during Nigeria’s second Group A game at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire.
The PAOK Salonica of Greece centre back however played through the pain to not only lead Nigeria to a silver medal finish at the competition but also set a few records on the way to being named the tournament’s bst player.
The 30 year old became the first defender/full back to score three goals in the same Africa Cup of Nations edition since Opta started collecting this data in 2010.
Troost-Ekong, with Cote d’Ivoire’s Sébastien Haller also became the first players to score in both semi-final and final in the same Africa Cup of Nations edition since Gedo with Egypt in 2010.
Troost-Ekong will not only miss the international friendly between Nigeria and the Albiceleste of Argentina at the 77,500 capacity United Airlines Field at the Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on March 26 but also the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against South Africa in Nigeria and the Benin Republic in Benin.
