Ekong upbeat as Super Eagles step up preparation for Ecuador, Sierra Leone, Mauritius

Three–time African champions the Super Eagles of Nigeria have landed in New Jersey after the friendly with the El-Tri of Mexico in Dallas.

The Super Eagles now start their preparations for their friendly match with Ecuador on Thursday evening.

The friendly games will serves as preparation for next month’s AFCON 2023 qualifying matches against Sierra Leone and Mauritius.

Ahead of the upcoming games, Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong is upbeat about the team.

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Ekong who scored an own goal in the game stated that the team is ready to make Nigeria proud.

In an interview with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Ekong was happy with the team and introduction of the players from the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

He said, “We were unhappy to have lost to Mexico because everyone worked very hard. The issues of long travel and little time to adapt to the new zone affected us all in the first half, but we created a raft of chances in the second half and were unlucky to have lost.

"Nevertheless, we have taken on board a lot of lessons from the game and they will be quite useful in subsequent matches,”

“Everyone has been great here with good attitude and response at training. However, I must specially commend the team mates from the Nigeria Professional Football League who have shown poise, pace and power and also commitment; they have no doubt raised the NPFL’s profile with their attitude and performance.”

At 1pm Nigerian time on Friday, June 3 the Super Eagles of Nigeria will take on Ecuador at the Red Bull Arena in Harrison.

After the friendly, New Super Eagles coach Jose Peseiro will lead the Super Eagles in the AFCON 2023 qualifying games.

On Thursday, June 9 the Super Eagles take on the Leone Stars at the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja and then travel to Saint Pierre to face Mauritius on Monday, June, 13.