The Africa Cup of Nations should “100% be more respected”, says Nigeria captain William Troost-Ekong.
The Watford centre-back said seeing Premier League players being asked if they would honour their national call-ups had been “difficult”.
Troost-Ekong is set to lead Nigeria out against seven-time champions and 2017 finalists Egypt on Tuesday in his first major tournament as captain.
“If it was the Euros or any other tournament, I don’t think there would be any kind of conversation like this,” he told Football Focus. “That would be ludicrous.”
