Super Eagles defender Williams Troost-Ekong has dedicated his winning goal in yesterday´s 2-1 win over South Africa in the Africa Cup of Nation quarter-final clash at the Cairo International Stadium to his son.
Troost-Ekong scored a late minute goal to send Nigeria to the semifinal. He slotted the ball into an empty net after goalkeeper Ronwen Williams missed Moses Simon´s corner.
In a chat with SportingLife.ng after the game, the Udinese of Italy defender said he is happy to make the difference in the team.
”The goal is dedicated to my son Oscar and to my family at home that are waiting for me and hopefully we can come home with the trophy,” Troost-Ekong told SportingLife.ng.
“It was an amazing feeling and I am happy that I can make the difference in the team now. The most important thing is that we win and we move on to the next stage. I am very happy.”
The former Bursaspor of Turkey center back said Nigeria was unlucky to concede a goal against South Africa.
“The football is always a game of two halves. When you score 1-0 and when you are leading, you have to be very careful because the other team will try to come forward. We were a little bit dipper and dipper. And we saw them coming further and further towards our box. I don´t think we conceded any shot on target, and maybe their first shot on target was their goal. I think we were a little bit unlucky because if Ighalo didn’t touch the ball, it would be offside.
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That’s what football is all about. I think we were dangerous on counter-attack as well. I am happy we won and we will take it further from there,” he concluded.