'I worked with him' - Troy Deeney says Troost-Ekong is not nasty enough to be Super Eagles captain

Watford legend Troy Deeney insists William Troost-Ekong is too gentle to be an effective captain of the Super Eagles. 

Deeney and Troost-Ekong were teammates at the Hornets, featuring in 15 matches together across the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons.

Nigeria face Gabon on Thursday evening, and the winner will meet either Cameroon or the Democratic Republic of Congo in the African playoffs final. 

The ultimate winner will secure a spot in the World Cup Intercontinental playoffs in March 2026.

Although the Super Eagles are considered favourites among the four contenders, their participation was thrown into doubt on Tuesday after players and technical staff boycotted training in protest over unpaid allowances and bonuses.

Nigeria captain Troost-Ekong later issued a statement on Wednesday evening confirming that all outstanding financial issues had been resolved, allowing the team to return to training ahead of their crucial clash with the Panthers.

Reacting to the Super Eagles' bonus row with the Nigeria Football Federation, Deeney questioned Troost-Ekong's leadership style, suggesting that the Super Eagles captain lacks the aggressiveness required to drive the national team through difficult moments.

"I worked with William Troost-Ekong at Watford. I don't think he's the one kicking down the doors and saying this is what is going to happen," Deeney said on CBS Sports Golazo. 

"Totally take your point to the social media point of it, he's a good guy, he's a good person.

"But in this moment, you need that nasty person, that one who's going to be like, 'No, we're not training, we are moving, and if any of you players do it, you're going to fall out with me'.

Deeney also lamented the ongoing distractions surrounding the Super Eagles' World Cup qualifying campaign, noting that off-field issues continue to overshadow their on-pitch ambitions.

"It's a real shame because it's a huge moment in the World Cup qualifiers and we are now talking about off-the-pitch stuff again. It's not the first time, not the second time,” Deeney concluded.

Paris FC's Moses Simon is the longest-serving member of the current squad, having made his debut in March 2015, three months before William Troost-Ekong earned his first cap, while Alex Iwobi is the most experienced player in the team with 89 appearances, including 74 starts.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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