Super Eagles captain, William Troost-Ekong has advised players born outside Nigeria who are considering representing the country to do so out of genuine passion and commitment, not as backup option.
Troost-Ekong, who himself was born in the Netherlands and later chose to play for Nigeria, emphasized that wearing the national team jersey should come from a place of pride and not convenience.
Speaking in an interview, the former Watford and PAOK Thessaloniki defender said, “I never try to convince anyone to switch allegiance. It has to be a heartfelt decision. Nigeria should never be seen as a second option. I’ve spoken to several players who were unsure about their international future, and I always tell them the same thing—if you’re going to represent Nigeria, do it because it means something to you.”
The 31-year-old defender, who led Nigeria to a silver medal at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire and was named the tournament’s best player, praised the impact of foreign-born players who have committed to the national team over the years.
“In my generation, players like Leon Balogun, Alex Iwobi, and I were part of the early wave of diaspora talents who fully embraced the Nigerian identity,” he said.
“There were pioneers before us, like Osaze Odemwingie and George Abbey, but I believe our group helped make that path more acceptable within the squad and among the fans.”
Troost-Ekong, who was first called up by the late Coach Stephen Keshi, has made over 80 appearances for the Super Eagles since pledging his international future to Nigeria.
Recently, he hosted a charity match at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos, organized by his foundation.
The event brought together several prominent footballers, including Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Song, and Tolu Arokodare, and aimed to give back to the community through football.
