William Troost-Ekong says it is always special to don the green and white colours of Nigeria, reports Completesports.com.
Troost-Ekong will look to make his 43rd appearance for the West Africans when they take on African champions Algeria at the Worthersee Stadium, Klangefurt in a friendly on Friday night.
The centre-back has captained the Super Eagles in their last four games, an honour that makes him even more convinced he was right to choose to play for the country of his father’s birth.
“Even my Dutch family are really proud,” Troost-Ekong told Watford’s official website.
“It means a lot to them for me to represent such a big nation. It’s massive. Hopefully I get to do it some more. The last few games, yeah [I’ve been made captain].
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” I’ve always been quite vocal and a leader in the team. We’ve had some great captains in [Ahmed] Musa, who is still officially our captain, and John Obi Mikel before that. I always try and learn from these guys and push the team in the right direction.”
The 27-year-old represented Holland at youth level before switching his allegiance.
He made his debut for the Super Eagles in a 2-0 win against Chad in 2015.
“It’s a really big thing [for me],” Troost-Ekong said.
“I started my international career with the Dutch younger teams, but as soon as I heard about Nigeria wanting me to play for them, I jumped at the chance. I’ve never looked back. It was a special moment to play for Nigeria as I know how much it means to the people. I feel it’s my way of giving back to a country that has given me so much.”
By Adeboye Amosu
2 Comments
Honestly, Ekong is one player, that has truly won me over. Truth is, nigeria’s got multifaceted problems but do we then say we are not Nigerians? NEVER ME OR MY KIDS, WE ARE FOREVER PROUD TO BE NIGERIANS IRRESPECTIVE Whatever you do for nigeria please do for those suffering innocent children, those struggling decent men, working so hard but struggling to eat the benefit, those widows with children to cater for, those young girls constantly being forced into prostitution, etc. We should let our satisfaction be that we put some smiles no matter how small on these faces, whether through football, through arms giving, through being their mouth piece, through whatever good work are are doing, For if anyone hopes to get some personal benefits from serving Nigeria, that one may just be chasing shadows.
That’s how a real son of the soil do, not those omo ale jatijati. Up you son.