Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong has revealed that a pivotal phone call from the late coach Stephen Keshi and the opportunity to play international football at a young age were the key factors in his decision to represent Nigeria over the Netherlands, the country of his birth.
In a recent interview on the Sports Afterparty Podcast, Troost-Ekong, now 30, explained that the choice between playing for the Dutch national team and Nigeria came at a crucial point in his career when he was 21.
At the time, he had already represented the Netherlands at youth levels, including the U19 and U20 teams, but there was no clear pathway to the senior team.
“Just at the start of the season, I had played for the Dutch U19 and U20 squads, but there was no real perspective yet for the first team,” he recalled.
“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 kind of going through a transition stage where a lot of their defenders at that time were a little bit older, so I knew that they wanted to make some changes there.”
Troost-Ekong admitted that it was this opportunity for immediate international exposure that ultimately swayed his decision.
The Dutch national team, while having a deep pool of talent, did not offer the same near-term prospects for him to feature in the senior squad.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian team, in transition at the time, presented a more immediate opportunity to secure a place in the squad, which he saw as a chance to kickstart his international career.
Troost-Ekong, who has become one of Nigeria’s most consistent players over the last decade, made his Super Eagles debut in 2014 and has since become a central figure in the team.
His leadership was solidified when he assumed the captaincy on an interim basis at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in 2021. He has also etched his name into the history books by becoming the highest-scoring defender in AFCON history, with five goals, including three in a single tournament.
His impressive performances in Africa’s premier football competition earned him a nomination for the 2023 CAF Men’s Player of the Year award, a testament to his impact on the continent’s footballing stage.
Looking ahead, Troost-Ekong is focused on Nigeria’s upcoming 2025 AFCON qualifier against Benin Republic, scheduled for Thursday in Ivory Coast.
Despite Nigeria only needing a point to qualify for the tournament in Morocco, Troost-Ekong dismissed concerns about complacency.
“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,” he said in an interview with NFF TV.
The match will take place at the Stade Houphouet Boigny, a venue that holds mixed memories for the Super Eagles. Nigeria was stunned by Benin 2-1 in a 2026 World Cup qualifier earlier this year, but the Eagles also have fond recollections of the stadium from their AFCON 2023 campaign.
Troost-Ekong is part of a growing group of dual-nationality players recruited by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) over the past 15 years.
This strategy has been instrumental in strengthening the Super Eagles, bringing in talent from the diaspora. Players like Troost-Ekong, who could have represented other countries, have contributed significantly to the national team’s competitiveness and success on the international stage.
With his wealth of experience, leadership, and dedication, Troost-Ekong continues to be a key figure for the Super Eagles as they prepare for the next chapter in African football.
