Super Eagles captain, William Troost-Ekong, has opened up about the pivotal phone call from late coach Stephen Keshi and the critical career moment that led him to choose Nigeria over his country of birth, the Netherlands, for international football.
In an interview on the *Sports Afterparty Podcast*, Troost-Ekong shared the influence of the phone conversation with Keshi and the opportunity to represent Nigeria at the age of 21. He revealed that his decision came at a crucial stage in his career when he was just starting to make waves in the Dutch youth teams but had no clear prospects for senior team involvement.
“At the start of the season, I had already played for the Dutch U19 and U20 squads, but there was no real perspective yet for the first team,” Troost-Ekong explained. “The choice was between possibly progressing in the Netherlands and maybe having a chance at the senior squad later in my career, or seizing the opportunity to play for the Super Eagles, who were in a transition phase with many older defenders. I knew they wanted to bring in new blood.”
The decision to represent Nigeria turned out to be a career-defining one for the 30-year-old defender. Troost-Ekong, who plays for Al-Kholood in Saudi Arabia, has since gone on to become one of Nigeria’s most reliable players, making his debut in 2014 and steadily climbing to the role of captain on an interim basis during the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.
Troost-Ekong’s impact on the field is undeniable. According to the International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS), he holds the record for the most goals scored by a defender at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) with five, including an impressive three goals in a single tournament. His performances were also recognized with a nomination for the prestigious CAF Men’s Player of the Year award after his stellar showing in the 2023 AFCON, where he was named the Best Player of the Tournament.
Ahead of Nigeria’s crucial 2025 AFCON qualifier against Benin Republic in Ivory Coast on Thursday, Troost-Ekong dismissed any talk of complacency, despite Nigeria needing only a point to secure qualification for the tournament in Morocco.
“The match is not going to be easy because the Beninese are also fighting for a ticket to the tournament,” Troost-Ekong told NFF TV. “But our objective is clear: three points on the night.”
The match will be held at the Stade Houphouet Boigny, the site of Nigeria’s 2-1 loss to Benin in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers earlier this year. Despite that setback, the Super Eagles have fond memories of the venue, especially after their AFCON 2023 success.
Troost-Ekong is one of several dual-nationality players the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has successfully recruited in the last 15 years. This strategy has bolstered the national team with a wealth of talent from the Nigerian diaspora, strengthening the squad’s depth and competitive edge on the continental and global stage.
As Troost-Ekong continues to lead the Super Eagles, his decision to represent Nigeria remains a defining moment in the country’s footballing history. His commitment to the team, his leadership, and his performances at AFCON stand as a testament to the success of this recruitment strategy, while inspiring future generations of Nigerian footballers.
