Troost- Ekong tells NFF to consider ‘Diaspora’ players for Eagles

Super Eagles Vice Captain, Williams – Troost Ekong has advised the Nigeria Football Federation never to hesitate to consider all players with Nigerian roots to play for the Super Eagles and the various national teams.

Ekong who was born abroad by a Nigerian father said he would not have been playing for the Super Eagles if only the home based players have been given preference over the overseas based ones.

The Udinese star defender explained that it is part of modern day football to invite players of the country’s roots to be part of the national team.

“As a country, we have to consider all players with Nigerian roots. I’m grateful for that otherwise I won’t be playing for Nigeria if you only considered the home-based players. It’s also part of modern-day football,” he said.

He said for any country to make impact in the world it is important to make sure when it picks the best players available whether foreign or home based.

“I was born abroad but my father is Nigerian so I’m first-generation Nigerian born abroad. For many players like that they equally deserves to be given the opportunity provided they are willing to play,” he said.

Former Dutch national team player, Rafael van der Vaart, was quoted to have said if William had been patient, he would have played for the Netherlands but he retorted that ” I’m satisfied, I’m really happy with the place I am right now.

“I think I made a lot of right decisions and I stand by my decisions that it was always a dream to play for Nigeria. The pride I get playing for Nigeria wearing the shirt, I wouldn’t want to trade that for anyone else,”. the Dutch-Nigerian explained. 

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