By James Moses (9News Nigeria)

Born in Netherlands and educated in England, Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong has not looked back at International level since opting to represent Nigeria.

A part of the team that lost to Lionel Messi and Argentina at 2018 World Cup, Troost-Ekong is currently taking part in his third African Cup of Nations and kept a remarkable cool head to score the decisive penalty in the 1-0 win over host, Ivory Coast last Thursday.

The result left the three -time continental champions, primed to clinch a spot in the last 16.

“It is so early still but my belief in the team has stayed the same” the 30- year-old centre -back, who won his first cap in 2015, told AFP.

“If I look at the players we have now, I think it might be the best team I have played in for Nigeria. That is with due respect to some of the legends that have been there”

Amid all the talk of Nigeria’s fearsome attack spearhead by African Footballer of the Year Victor James Osimhen, it was Nigeria’s defence that perhaps surprisingly stood out against the Ivorians, with Troost-Ekong marshaling a five -man back line for Nigeria.