Ekong talks about relationship with ‘Oyibo wall’ partner Balogun, reveals Rohr’s most preferred formation

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Super Eagles defender Williams Troost-Ekong says Wigan defender Leon Balogun is his best defensive partner in the national team so far.

Ekong and Balogun formed the famous ‘Oyinbo wall’ partnership in the Super Eagles and were both vital to Nigeria’s qualification for the 2018 FIFA world Cup in Russia.

However the Udinese defender has recently played along with Kenneth Omeruo, Semi Ajayi and Chidozie Awaziem after Balogun lost his place in the due to lack of playing time.

Ekong who was speaking in a live Instagram session said the Wigan star remains the only one who really impressed him most.

“I have also played different partnerships with the Super Eagles, partnered in defence with Omeruo, Awaziem, Semi as well as Leon. Over the last five years playing alongside Leon has been good.”

“He joined the Super Eagles a year before me, he’s a bit older, more experience. He is like a big brother to me; we make good decisions on the pitch together we don’t have to communicate too much because we understand each other. I have learned a lot from him” he said.

Ekong who is the current Super Eagles assistant Captain has been ever present in the team and appeared to be Gernot Rohr’s most trusted defender.

Apart from playing with different partners and Ekong has played different formations in his five years stay with the, the defender opined that the team’s best system remains 4 : 3: 3.

“We play different systems with the Super Eagles, 3:5:2, or 4:3:3 which I have also played at club level depending on tactics, we had players Victor Moses who played wing back with Chelsea.”

“We have to be ready for whatever the coach decides, we have done really well with both. The game against Iceland 3:5:2, also against Argentina.

We had different players Bryan, Tyrone who can play wing back and right back, Ola Aina too. But overall, I’d say our best formation has been 4:3:3.” he said.

Since switching allegiance to Nigeria, Ekong has represented Nigeria in three major tournaments, the Rio 2016 Olympics, Russia 2018 World cup and the 2019 African cup of Nations in Egypt.