2023 Afcon MVP Troost-Ekong responds to Oliseh's claims he's unsuitable for African football

Super Eagles defender William Troost-Ekong has addressed past criticism from Nigerian football legend Sunday Oliseh regarding his suitability for African football.

In a statement made at a pre-match press conference, Troost-Ekong emphasized that comments made by Oliseh, which questioned his physicality and ability to compete against African strikers, have only fueled his determination to excel in the sport.

Troost-Ekong, who has made 74 appearances for Nigeria and scored 7 goals, has established himself as a key player in the Super Eagles squad.

As Nigeria prepares to face Rwanda in their final 2025 AFCON qualifier in Uyo, the Al-Kholood defender expressed his pride in representing Nigeria and reflected on how criticism has contributed to his development.

"It's something you dream of when you are a kid. I always wanted to play for Nigeria. I think moments like that always fuel me to do more," Troost-Ekong told reporters at Sunday's pre-match press conference.

While recognizing Oliseh as a respected figure in Nigerian football, Troost-Ekong noted that he no longer feels the need to prove himself to anyone.

He highlighted his journey, mentioning how he has navigated through ups and downs, including differences with coach Jose Peseiro, from which he emerged stronger.

"Whenever I have difficult moments, I tend to have good moments after because it is something that also keeps me thinking at night, makes me evaluate myself.

"Now at my age I stop to prove myself to anyone. Sunday Oliseh is a legend, someone I respect very much. He's done so much for Nigerian football. The time when I spoke about that I was 24, we just qualified for the World Cup after I was ruled out.

"Something similar happened before the last Afcon, Jose Peseiro and myself, we had some differences and in the end we made amends. 

"That performance came on the back of that so I hope now our coach doesn't have to motivate me like that anymore.

"Everybody wants to do better and football is no straight line, there'll be ups and downs and maybe at the time that was the right thing but I didn't want to accept it, that's all part of it.

"I'm very proud of where I am now, there has been a lot of hard work but the hard work doesn't stop, I have to continue to improve myself otherwise I can't keep up with the new boys on the block and everybody else who also want to be here and play," Troost-Ekong added.

The Super Eagles enter the match against Rwanda confident, sitting atop their group with 11 points from 5 games, having already secured qualification for the upcoming tournament in Morocco.

However, the stakes are high for Rwanda, who need a victory against Nigeria, coupled with a loss for Benin against Libya, to keep their qualification hopes alive.

The match is set to kick off at 5 pm today in Uyo, as the Super Eagles look to maintain their strong form and finish the qualifiers on a high note.

Adeyemi Adewale

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