William Troost-Ekong : Tottenham Coach Told Me I Wasn't Good Enough To Play Football
Published: April 05, 2019
Super Eagles defender, William Troost-Ekong has opened up on one of the saddest things he has heard in his career as he ruminates on the paths he has trodden to become a successful footballer, the joy he has given fans whenever he steps onto the pitch and then becoming a fulfilled family man.
In his video documentary, 'I told you so', the I Bianconeri No. 5 revealed how he was told by one of his Tottenham Hotspur coaches that he was not good enough to make it as a player, something he believes had pricked him and keeps pushing him up till today to achieve more.
The then 16-year-old started honing his trade at Spurs Academy where he spent three years but failed to make the grade before he moved on to FC Groningen for his first taste of senior football.
"One of my last moments at Tottenham before I left Spurs was when I had a meeting with one of my coaches, he told me and my mum that I wasn't good enough to play, that he didn't think I could make it as a football player."
"This kind of upset me so much at the time but later became a big point for me to prove, first to them, then to myself and finally to the world that i am good enough to make it to the top."
Since then, he has gone to represent Nigeria's U-23s at the Rio 2016 Summer Olympics while also earning caps at last year's Russia World Cup tournament with the senior national team.
Dordrecht, FK Haugesund, Bursaspor and Gent have all benefited from the qualities of the never-say-die defender as he continues to take his career to an outstanding level.
He has become an indispensable part of the national team and barring any irremediable mishap is set to represent Gernot Rohr's team in his first AFCON tournament in Egypt later this year.
Emmanuel Chinaza
Latest News
- After trials at Arsenal, Spurs and Wolves, Akaunu joins Bournemouth from Liverpool Academy
- 'Let's do a rematch' – Super Falcons defender Plumptre eyes revenge against Morocco
- The price of victory: Galatasaray target Osimhen prefers European stay, demands N27b-a-year
- Nigeria squad announcement: Chelle unveils 35-man provisional CHAN roster including Sodiq, Alimi
- Official: Nigerian left-back signs scholarship deal with Brentford after leaving Liverpool
- Nwaneri keen on staying despite Arsenal links to two attackers who chose England over Nigeria
- From goalscorer to role model: Arokodare inspires Racing Genk rising star amid transfer buzz
- 'Born to Nigerian parents' – Atalanta confirm brand new signing is eligible for Super Eagles
- Confirmed: Prolific striker Odekunle extends contract with FC Midtjylland
- Parma in talks with Watford over deal for brother of Super Eagles midfielder


News Categories
- African Players
- Australia/ Asia
- Belgian Championship
- Bundesliga
- Danish Football
- English Premier League
- Nigeria National Teams
- Casinos not on Gamstop
- Nigeria Premier League
- Norwegian Football
- Football Betting
- Polish Football
- Russian Championship
- Serie A
- Spanish Liga
- Swedish Championship
- Transfer
- Turkish Championship
- 1Win
- Ukrainian Football
- Uncategorized
- Women's Football
- SHBET
- keo nha cai
- F168
- F168
- okvip
- hi88
- hi88
- hi88
- hi88
- hi88