Born in the Netherlands and educated in England, the captain of the Super Eagles, William Troost-Ekong (30 years old), has never hesitated on the international stage since choosing to represent Nigeria.
A member of the team that faced Lionel Messi and Argentina in the 2018 World Cup, Troost-Ekong is currently in his third participation in the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) and displayed remarkable composure by converting the decisive penalty in the 1-0 victory over host Ivory Coast on Thursday.
The result positioned the three-time continental champions well to secure a spot in the round of 16, facing Guinea-Bissau in the final group stage match in Abidjan on Monday.
“It’s still early, but my confidence in the team remains the same” said the central defender to AFP. Debuting for the national team in 2015, he added, “Looking at the players we have now, I believe this could be the best team I’ve played in Nigeria. With all due respect to the legends who have been here.”
Amid discussions about Nigeria’s formidable attack led by the African Player of the Year, Victor Osimhen, it was the defense that surprisingly stood out against Ivory Coast, with Troost-Ekong leading a five-man defensive line.
“I believe we have the most exciting attack in Africa. We have the best African player, who is our number nine. I’m not surprised; I know what our defenders can do, and I have a lot of confidence in this group. Perhaps we have been underestimated defensively” he concluded.
Troost-Ekong, who is currently wearing bamboo-made boots and other sustainable materials at the CAN, was born on the outskirts of Amsterdam to a Nigerian father and a Dutch mother. He was initially called up to the youth teams of the Netherlands.
He admits to dreaming of representing the main Orange team before receiving a call from Stephen Keshi, the then-coach of the Super Eagles, who convinced him to wear the Nigerian jersey.
“I used to watch a lot of football with my father. He was always watching the Super Eagles, but growing up in the Netherlands, I also dreamed of playing for the Dutch national team” shares the defender, who moved to the UK at the age of 12 to attend a boarding school, “But when I received the call from Stephen Keshi, who was a player and a legend I watched as a child, especially as a central defender, I was somewhat surprised. When he asked me to play for Nigeria, I didn’t need to think twice. I think I said yes before even having to consider anything or ask anyone because it felt right, and I’ve never looked back since then. There’s something that makes me feel good about playing for Nigeria.”
