It's not easy — Ekong addresses decision to bench him for 20-year-old centreback in Rwanda victory

Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong said that more emphasis should be placed on Benjamin Fredrick's performance under the circumstances of the game against Rwanda, instead of on who the Brentford loanee replaced in the starting lineup: himself. 

As Pulse Sports reported, Chelle benched the reliable AFCON 2023 MVP and captain of the team, Troost-Ekong, for Fredrick, who announced himself during the Unity Cup friendlies earlier this year.

The bold decision to bench the Super Eagles captain paid off handsomely as Nigeria secured a vital 1-0 win over Rwanda, achieving their first clean sheet in five matches.

After the game, much focus was placed on Ekong's omission. When Chelle was asked, he insisted that the decision was his to make. 

Ekong then buttressed his coach's submission by asking the questioning to focus on Fredrick’s excellent performance, rather than his omission. 

“I think the focus shouldn't be on me. Rather, I think we should say a big congratulations to Benjamin,” Troost-Ekong said.

“I think he played an amazing game today; to come into a game that was loaded with a lot of pressure in Uyo is not an easy thing. That is what should be happening today; congratulations to him.”