Ekong says this is the best Super Eagles team he has played in since joining the team

SUPER Eagles skipper William Ekong has described the current team that is participating in the ongoing African Cup of Nations as the best side he has played in since he joined the national team in 2015.

Ekong, 30, scored Nigeria's winning goal from the penalty spot on Thursday when the Eagles beat hosts Ivory Coast in their second Group a game. His goal capped a brilliant performance that saw Ekong marshal a back three alongside Semi Ajayi and Calvin Bassey, which shut out the Ivorian attackers throughout the match.

Part of the team that lost to Lionel Messi and Argentina at the 2018 World Cup, Ekong is currently taking part in his third Africa Cup of Nations. Ekong, who is wearing boots made from bamboo and other sustainable materials, was born just outside Amsterdam to a Nigerian father and Dutch mother and was capped at youth level by the Netherlands.

Ekong said: "It is so early still but my belief in the team has stayed the same. If I look at the players we have now, I think it might be the best team I have played in for Nigeria. That is with all due respect to some of the legends that have been there.

"I think we have the most exciting attack in Africa. We have the best player in Africa who is our number nine but I was not surprised, I think I know what the defenders can do as well and I believe so much in this group."

He admits he dreamed of representing the Oranje senior team before a call from Stephen Keshi, then the Super Eagles coach, convinced him to pull on a Nigerian shirt. Ekong, who has family in the Akwa Ibom State capital Uyo as well as in Lagos, spent several weeks on holiday in Nigeria every year while growing up and says the country felt very much like home and still does.

"I watched a lot of football with my Dad. He was always watching the Super Eagles but growing up in Holland, I also dreamt about playing for the Dutch national team. However, when I got the phone call from Stephen Keshi at the time, who was legend who I watched growing up as a kid, especially as a central defender, I was kind of taken aback and for him to ask me to play for Nigeria, I didn't have to think twice.

"I think I said yes before I even had to think about anything or ask anyone because it just felt right and I haven't looked back since. Something really feels right about playing for Nigeria," Ekong added.

He has turned out for clubs all over Europe, notably playing in Serie A for Udinese and in the English Premier League for Watford. Ekong recently joined Greek side Paok Thessaloniki, who he said he hopes to win a lot of silverware with.

Ekong said: "I have played in Serie A and in England, which are considered probably the top leagues but for teams that are trying to stay in the league or to survive. Now playing at Paok, it is different because the ambition there is to win the league, win the cup and win the Europa Conference League."