Super Eagles Defensive Stalwart Troost-Ekong Sends Message To Rohr On Nigeria's Best Formation

Super Eagles defensive stalwart William Troost-Ekong has sent a message to manager Gernot Rohr on Nigeria's best formation, saying the 4-3-3 system of play is best for the team.

The 4-2-3-1 formation has been the most commonly used by the Franco-German football tactician since his appointment as Super Eagles coach in 2016 but he was forced to tinker with the formation at the 2018 World Cup when things didn't go his way in the first game against Croatia.

Having made the transition from winger to wing-back, Victor Moses was coming off the back of a fine season at Chelsea and the versatile Brian Idowu started the games against Iceland and Argentina in the left wing-back role.

"We tried to look at the players that we had, Victor Moses was playing right back as well for Chelsea at the time and the wing back we had Brian and Tyronne, who also played right-back, wing-back in the Netherlands," Ekong told the Super Eagles Media Team in an Instagram conversation on Sunday afternoon.

"With different players that could fill in positions, we had to be adaptable to the teams we were playing against but I think overall I'll say our best position is probably 4-3-3."

Ekong played non-binding games for Netherlands U19 and U20 teams before he was invited for an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Chad.

The Udinese star said that he felt at home during his maiden national team appearance five years ago because of his defensive partners.

"Just a few weeks before, I spoke to Stephen Keshi on the phone and he told me he wants to bring me in to train with the guys, to be part of the squad. He watched one of my games, he liked it. It was amazing.

"When I arrived Abuja, that's where we camping at the time and training in the National Stadium there, I was happy to be there, so I wasn't expecting to play.

"When we went to Kaduna just before the game, I realized I was in the team with most of the guys. It was quite easy because I played with Kenneth, Leon and behind me Enyeama.

"I was covered so I didn't have to worry too much and that gave me the confidence to try and do my thing. I was really happy that we managed to win 2-0, Ighalo and Salami scored.

"It's always nice coming for your first game, to win," added Ekong.

Since the appointment of Gernot Rohr as Nigeria coach, no Super Eagles player has logged more minutes than Troost-Ekong, with the former Tottenham Hotspur youth-teamer going the distance in an incredible 33 games from a possible 37 matches played by the national team.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel