Get Guardian on GoogleWilliam Troost-Ekong has opened up on how a phone call from the late Stephen Keshi shaped his decision to choose Nigeria over the Netherlands.
Troost-Ekong revealed that the allure of international football at the age of 21 was instrumental in this choice.
Speaking on the Sports Afterparty Podcast, Troost-Ekong reminisced about the critical juncture in his career when the chance to represent Nigeria came up.
“I had just started the season after playing for the Dutch U19 and U20 teams, but there was no clear pathway to the senior squad.
“Then, out of the blue, I received a call from Stephen Keshi, the national team coach at that time, who was also an iconic figure in Nigerian football. I was genuinely taken aback by his call. It was a defining moment for me.
“It was essentially a decision between trying to force my way into the Netherlands setup, which could take time, or seizing the chance to play for the Super Eagles right away, especially given that the team was in a transition phase, with many older defenders likely making way for new blood.”
Since making his debut a decade ago, the 30-year-old has featured at three Africa Cup of Nations and was part of the squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
He boasts the record for the most goals by a defender in AFCON history, netting five times, including three goals at the 2023 edition in Cote d’Ivoire.
His impressive performance at the 2023 AFCON earned him a nomination for the CAF Men’s Player of the Year award.
