One blunder will not erase all the good Captain William Paul Troost-Ekong did serving Nigeria. A committed patriot, this defender abandoned The Netherlands, his mother’s country of birth where he rose as a junior international,to switch allegiance to Nigeria in 2015.
I remember his exact words when Oluwasina Okeleji of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) interviewed him in 2019, just before the African Cup of Nations. “I think the decision to play for Nigeria has to be the best ever for me,” the central defender said.
Troost-Ekong needs our support at this time. The Super Eagles have had a very disappointing run trying to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. Things got worse with a 1-1 draw with Bafana Bafana in Bloomfontein, a match that meant the whole world to Nigerians. Sadly, the skipper scored an own.
The same South Africans received maximum punishment from Troost – Ekong, previously. At the Egypt 2019 African Nations Cup, he broke their hearts with a last minute goal to put Nigeria through to the semifinals. And his first AFCON medal, a bronze, followed after the loss to Algeria’s Desert Foxes.
At the Cote d’Ivoire 2023 Championships, Ekong punished Bafana Bafana the more. In the semifinals which was decided in Bouake, he scored twice. The first goal was through a penalty in open play, the second came during the penalty shoot out that ensued after scores stood at 1-1 after regulation and over time.
The Nigerian captain left Abidjan as a hero. Voted Player of the Tournament, he made the CAF Team of the Tournament and became the first defender in the History of the AFCON to score five goals. Three of those goals were scored in Cote d’Ivoire.
It takes a great player to score from the penalty spot against the hosts, who had beaten Guinea Equatorial 2-0 in the opening match. He also scored against the Elephants in the grand finale before they fought back to lift the cup with a 2-1 victory.
Where Troost – Ekong excelled was in the penalty shoot out against Bafana Bafana whose goalkeeper and captain Ronwen Williams, set a Championships record of saving four penalty kicks in a single match. Against the Eagles, a superior William emerged.
Troost-Ekong scored twice against Williams and the goals came through penalty kicks. The man who saved four penalty kicks against Cabo Verde was beaten mercilessly by Ekong. It was the Nigerian goalie, Stanley Nwabali that made great saves. However, CAF picked the South African as Goalkeeper of the Tournament.
Bafana Bafana took the Eagles to a sub standard pitch in their bid to steal a World Cup ticket. The muddy pitch was responsible for the own goal that came off Troost-Ekong’s leg. This makes me see that goal as more of a South African ploy to go to North America through the backdoor.
In a very strange arrangement, Bafana Bafana will end up playing more home matches than the other teams in their group. Zimbabwe and Lesotho, whose fields are not worse than what we saw in Bloomfontein, and both of them are Southern Africans, were forced to play their home games in South Africa.
Football lovers are curious to know why Benin Republic, Nigeria’s next door neighbours, who are also in the same group, play their home matches in Abidjan and not Uyo. Tongues are wagging. The CAF president is a South African, the fixtures reflect more politics across Sub – Regional influence.
It should not be crucifixion time for Troost-Ekong. Error is part of football. Ronaldinho scored for Ghana, against Brazil at the Germany 2006 World Cup. Captain Joseph Yobo netted for France against Nigeria at Brazil 2014. Oghenekaro Etebo suffered similar fate when Croatia beat Nigeria 2-0 at Russia 2018.
The good news is that Nigerian fans have shown maturity. They understand what it means to be in this tight corner. Troost – Ekong feels worse. However, the good thing is that he is safe. Colombia, where Andres Escobar died in 1994, shortly after an own goal loss to the United States, is far away, in South America.
I see Troost-Ekong leading the Super Eagles to AFCON victory in Morocco, later in 2025. Mark my words. We cannot abandon a true hero because of dirty Bloomfontein. Godwin Odiye won gold in 1980 after finding himself in this same position in 1977.
Eric Chelle should encourage his captain. The NFF would be making a terrible mistake by sacking the coach. Time is too short. Let him continue to manage the national team. The squad that played in Bloomfontein is good enough to win the the next African Nations Cup. Bring on Maduka Okoye and Victor Osimhen, wonders shall happen.
How can I dismiss Troost-Ekong, a patriot who suffered with the dream team in 2016 but smiled home with a bronze. This same star, a leader in deed and spirit, is still relevant. Experience does matter. Stephen Keshi lifted the AFCON trophy at old age in 1994. Yobo did the same in 2013. Troost-Ekong, is here in 2026.
That’s my editor. Keep us posted