AFCON MVP William Ekong has some cheering news for Super Eagles fans as he has hinted he will return to action in good time for a crucial 2026 World Cup qualifier against South Africa.
Ekong has undergone surgery for a thigh injury he nursed throughout the recent AFCON.
He disclosed: “I should be back and fit again in May, but I think it’s probably season over. You never know how rehab will go but I don’t want to rush it because at my tender age of 30 you have to be smart about these injuries.
“I want to be 100% for next season, 100% right. If I can play at the end this season that’s great, if not then I will be ready for next season.”
The experienced central defender spoke at length about how he managed the injury at the AFCON.
“I had a torn bicep femoris, which is basically the outside part of the hamstring. It happened during the tournament and I think I had a small tear initially in the second group stage game against Cote d’Ivoire. I managed to play on and then after the final I had another MRI, and we realised it was really ruptured,” he recounted
“It was very sore playing with it, and I couldn’t really train after the second group game. I was just trying ice to keep the swelling down.
“I might do half an hour of training the day before each game, and then during the game a combination of painkillers and adrenaline mean you can get through it. The day after each game it was definitely showing as I was struggling to walk.”
He added: “But thankfully now I’m sorted. I went to Finland to have surgery with Dr Lasse Lampainen who is one of the best in the world and has operated on quite a few Watford players in the past.”
By Aboluwade God’s Treasure AGT
