Watford centre back William Troost-Ekong has said it is a “great honour” to be named captain of his country ahead of the African Cup of Nations in Cameroon.
The defender is one of three Hornets players included in the Nigeria’s squad, alongside Emmanuel Dennis and out-on-loan goalkeeper, Maduka Okoye.
Elsewhere, fellow Watford players, Imran Louza and Adam Masina have been called up by Morocco and will play at the tournament as well.
Speaking with newsmen to MTN Nigeria’s We Move With Super Eagles, Troost-Ekong said, the role came with a big responsibility.
“It’s a great honour to captain your country, I think when I first came to the Super Eagles I didn’t realise it could go that quickly,” he said.
“However, I think I’ve been here quite consistently and it’s a great honour from the coach and trust that I’m getting to get that role but it comes with responsibility.”
Troost-Ekong said that being his nation’s leader did not add any extra pressure to his game, or change the way he approaches each match.
“If you wear the band or not I think I still play the same, it doesn’t change anything about how I play, what I do,” he continued.
“I might have one or two extra responsibilities on the pitch but it is still the same, I still play the same and talk the same so it doesn’t make that much of a difference.”
Dennis is included in Nigeria’s preliminary AFCON squad
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