Concerns are growing over the fitness of Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong after he missed his second consecutive league match for Al Kholood in the Saudi Pro League.
The 31 year old defender, who had been an ever present figure for his club, playing all 20 league matches before his absence, was not included in the squad for their recent 1-0 home victory against Odion Ighalo’s Al Wehda. He was also absent from the team’s 5-1 defeat to second-placed Al Hilal.
A source close to the player revealed that Ekong was in England over the weekend to celebrate his daughter’s fourth birthday. However, there has been no official word regarding his health status, and he is not currently serving a suspension.
With Nigeria’s crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers approaching, his absence from club action has raised questions about his availability for the Super Eagles.
Editorial
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The timing of William Troost-Ekong’s absence is bound to raise eyebrows, especially with Nigeria preparing for the next round of World Cup qualifiers. As the captain and a key defensive figure for the Super Eagles, his presence is crucial to the team’s stability at the back.
While there has been no confirmation of an injury, missing two consecutive league matches without official clarification naturally fuels speculation. Nigeria’s coaching staff and fans will be eager for reassurance that he remains fit and ready to lead the national team in the coming fixtures.
If Ekong is dealing with an undisclosed fitness issue, it would be a major blow to Nigeria’s defensive options. His leadership and experience were instrumental during the last Africa Cup of Nations campaign, and replacing him in high-stakes matches would be a challenge.
For now, the Super Eagles faithful can only wait for further updates. If he is indeed fit, his absence may simply be a personal break, but if it is injury related, Nigeria may have to start considering alternative defensive options for the upcoming qualifiers.
Did You Know?
- William Troost-Ekong was born in the Netherlands but chose to represent Nigeria at the international level.
- He has played in multiple leagues, including the Netherlands, Norway, England, Italy, and now Saudi Arabia.
- Ekong was a key player in Nigeria’s 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification campaigns.
- The Super Eagles captain has over 60 international caps for Nigeria.
- Al Kholood, Ekong’s current club, competes in the Saudi First Division League, one tier below the Saudi Pro League.
