Nigeria Are Motivated By Shock Group Stage Defeat, Says Defender Troost-Ekong
5th July 2019
The Super Eagles won their first two games in Alexandria but were surprisingly pipped to top spot in Group B by newcomers Madagascar after an underwhelming display in their final match
- Nigeria defender William Troost-Ekong said the shock 2-0 group stage defeat by Madagascar was providing extra motivation for the team ahead of Saturday's clash with defending Africa Cup of Nations champions Cameroon
- The Udinese centre-back started the opening 1-0 victory over Burundi and was recalled for the Madagascar game, having sat out the 1-0 win over Guinea that secured qualification for the knockout phase
ALEXANDRIA, Egypt- Nigeria defender William Troost-Ekong said the shock 2-0 group stage
defeat by Madagascar was providing extra motivation for the team ahead of
Saturday's clash with defending Africa Cup of Nations champions Cameroon.
The Super Eagles won
their first two games in Alexandria but were surprisingly pipped to top spot in
Group B by newcomers Madagascar after an underwhelming display in their final
match.
"Everyone was
upset about the last game against Madagascar so I think everyone has that extra
motivation. It's do or die because we know we have to do everything to stay in
the tournament," Troost-Ekong told reporters on Friday ahead of the
last-16 tie.
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"It's going to
be a tough game against Cameroon. We faced them in the 2018 World Cup
qualifiers and they might be out for revenge so we have to be ready for
them."
The Udinese
centre-back started the opening 1-0 victory over Burundi and was recalled for
the Madagascar game, having sat out the 1-0 win over Guinea that secured
qualification for the knockout phase.
"We've been in
this situation before when we've lost games when we might have been favourites
beforehand. The same thing happened at home versus South Africa at the start of
qualifying. Games like that happen," said Troost-Ekong.
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"I think
everyone now has woken up from that game. I don’t think anyone was satisfied
from that performance. So we have to be very driven to show Nigeria and Africa
that we feel otherwise. If you need motivation for this game you're probably
not in the right mindset. We're going to be very eager to prove a point."