William Troost-Ekong, captain of di Super Eagles and current Al-Kholood defender, don share say one important phone call from late coach Stephen Keshi, plus di chance to play international football at age 21, na wetin make am decide to represent Nigeria instead of Netherlands. As e talk for Sports Afterparty Podcast, Troost-Ekong remember say him career bin dey at one crossroad when di offer come.

“Just at the start of the season, I had played for the Dutch U19 and U20 squads, but there was no real perspective yet for the first team,” he said. As e weigh him options, e choose Nigeria, sabi say di team dey go through one transition phase with older defenders and space for new talent.

Di 30-year-old don turn cornerstone for di team since e debut 10 years ago, and e don carry di captain band temporarily for AFCON 2021. Di defender hold di record for most goals by a defender for AFCON with five goals, including three inside one tournament, according to IFFHS. E don win di Best Player award for AFCON 2023 and get nomination for CAF Men’s Player of di Year.

Ahead of di 2025 AFCON qualifier against Benin Republic for Ivory Coast, Troost-Ekong don emphasize di team determination even though dem need only one point to qualify. “The match is not going to be an easy one because the Beninoise are also chasing a ticket to the final tournament. However, our objective is clear: three points on the night,” e tell NFF TV on Tuesday.

Di match go happen for Stade Houphouet Boigny, venue wey get mixed memories for di team, where Benin shock Nigeria 2-1 for one 2026 World Cup qualifier, even though di Eagles get sweet memories from di place during AFCON 2023. Troost-Ekong na one of di dual-nationality players wey Nigeria Football Federation don recruit for di past 15 years to strengthen di Super Eagles.