Super Eagles Captain Troost-Ekong Reveals Key Reason Behind His Switch From Dutch To Nigerian Squad

Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong has explained his decision to represent Nigeria over the Netherlands, saying he didn’t see a “clear path” to join the senior Dutch squad. Born in Haarlem, Netherlands to a Nigerian father, Troost-Ekong was eligible to play for...CONTINUE READING…

Nigeria despite having played for Dutch youth teams.

The opportunity came through a call from the late Stephen Keshi, former Super Eagles coach, when Troost-Ekong was just beginning his professional career. After a strong season in the Eredivisie, he faced the choice of representing Nigeria or his birth country.

Though he had played for the Netherlands at the Under-19 and Under-20 levels, he found limited prospects with their senior team, prompting his decision to choose Nigeria.

Reflecting on the call from Keshi, Troost-Ekong shared on The Sports Afterparty Podcast, “I was at a pivotal stage in my career, and Keshi’s interest was truly inspiring. Nigeria offered a real chance to play internationally as they were rebuilding, and I saw a need for fresh talent in defense.”

Since making his Nigerian debut on June 13, 2015, the 31-year-old has earned 71 caps and scored seven goals for the Super Eagles.