Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong has shared that a phone call from the late coach Stephen Keshi and the opportunity to play international football at the age of 21 were pivotal in his decision to represent Nigeria over the Netherlands, his country of birth. Speaking on the Sports Afterparty Podcast, the Al-Kholood defender reflected on his career decision, which he made at a crucial juncture.
At the time, Troost-Ekong had already featured for the Dutch U19 and U20 teams but saw limited prospects for advancing to the senior national team. He explained, “The choice was between trying to progress and later in my career maybe have a chance to play for the Netherlands or have a chance now to play for the Super Eagles, who were going through a transition stage. A lot of their defenders at that time were a little bit older, so I knew that they wanted to make some changes.”
Since making his debut for Nigeria a decade ago, Troost-Ekong has become a reliable presence in the squad, cementing his place as a key figure. He assumed the captaincy on an interim basis during AFCON 2021, and his consistent performances have made him one of Nigeria’s standout players.
According to the International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS), Troost-Ekong holds the record for most goals by a defender at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), with five goals, including three in a single tournament. His outstanding displays earned him the Best Player award at AFCON 2023, as well as a nomination for the CAF Men’s Player of the Year.
Ahead of the 2025 AFCON qualifier against Benin Republic in Ivory Coast, Troost-Ekong addressed fears of complacency, despite Nigeria needing just a draw to secure qualification for the tournament in Morocco. Speaking to NFF TV, he stated, “The match is not going to be an easy one because the Beninoise are also chasing a ticket to the final tournament. However, our objective is clear: three points on the night.”
The match will take place at the Stade Houphouet Boigny, a venue with mixed memories for the Super Eagles. Benin Republic previously defeated Nigeria 2-1 there in a 2026 World Cup qualifier earlier this year, but the Nigerian team also had successful outings at the same venue during their AFCON 2023 campaign.
Troost-Ekong’s choice to represent Nigeria instead of the Netherlands highlights a broader strategy by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to recruit dual-nationality players, strengthening the national team by tapping into talents from the diaspora. This approach has paid dividends over the past 15 years, as players like Troost-Ekong have brought depth and quality to the Super Eagles.
