BY MONICA IHEAKAM 

HAUGESUND of Norway captain, William Troost-Ekong is on cloud nine over his recent recall to the Super Eagles ahead of the international friendly matches against Mali and Luxembourg in May.

Head Coach, Salisu Yusuf, had on Tuesday called up 26 players, including skipper John Mikel Obi, forwards Ahmed Musa and Odion Ighalo and goalkeeper Carl Ikeme for the forthcoming international friendlies in Europe.

Troost- Ekong who is on loan at the Norwegian club from Belgian champions, Gent took to his twitter handle to celebrate the invitation, which he attributed to hard work . “Very happy to be called up again for Nigeria. Hard work pays off,” the defender tweeted.

The 23-year-old who has four caps for Nigeria, had represented the Netherlands at the Youth level before he changed allegiance to Nigeria.

Yusuf, installed on interim basis by the NFF last week, picked a relatively young squad that also included former U-20 skipper, Musa Muhammed, former U-20 defender, Gbenga Arokoyo, former U-23 midfielder, Raheem Lawal, 2013 Africa Cup of Nations winner, Brown Ideye, one –cap left –back, Kingsley Madu and unknown Portugal –based defender, Chidozie Awaziem.

The three –time African champions will take on Les Aiglons of Mali in France on 27th May before flying to Luxembourg to take on that country’s National Team on the first day of June.

-Sun