Ekong Says UK’s COVID-19 Rules Unfair
Watford's William TroostEkong is unhappy to be one of eight Nigerians, all based in the United Kingdom, who missed Tuesday's 2022 World Cup qualifier in Cape Verde due to Covid-19 restrictions.
As Cape Verde is on the British government's travel red list, anyone returning from the country to the UK has to quarantine in a hotel for ten days, so forcing players to miss matches for their clubs.
Along with Troost-Ekong, Leicester City duo Kelechi Iheanacho and Wilfred Ndidi joined Everton's Alex Iwobi, Watford's Oghenekaro Etebo and Rangers duo Leon Balogun and Joe Aribo in returning to the UK over the weekend after helping Nigeria to beat Liberia in Lagos.
"We wanted to be part of the team and I feel like we are neglecting the team a bit by not travelling with them to Cape Verde," Vice-captain Troost-Ekong told BBC Sport Africa.
"It's a difficult one because obviously it's a rule that has been set by the UK government. But it's not necessarily fair, because the situation in different countries like Italy or Spain or other leagues that some of the boys are coming from, is probably similar but they are then allowed to travel and play.
"It's going to be a disadvantage for us because it's good to have all your best players. I feel like some of the players that will be missing out would definitely improve the squad by being there."
One man the Super Eagles could certainly do with is Iheanacho, who scored both goals in the 2-0 win over Liberia on Friday - a result good enough for Nigeria to top Group C despite playing only once.
The row over quarantine restrictions for players returning from red zone countries led the Confederation of African Football to ask the UK government to exempt African internationals,but the request was turned down.