Nigeria captain William Troost-Ekong is confident that Victor Osimhen possesses the qualities necessary to assume the role of captaincy for the Super Eagles in the future.
Having been a stalwart in the national team since his debut in June 2015, Troost-Ekong, who originally hails from the Netherlands, has amassed 71 appearances for Nigeria. His leadership credentials have been on display in various tournaments, including the 2016 Olympics in Rio, as well as two Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) competitions and one FIFA World Cup.
Troost-Ekong’s most recent outing was in the 2023 AFCON held in Ivory Coast, where he featured prominently, participating in six out of seven matches as Nigeria progressed to the tournament final. Despite falling short of clinching the title, Troost-Ekong’s standout performances earned him the golden ball award and a spot in the tournament’s best XI.
Having witnessed Osimhen’s impressive display in the recent AFCON, where he notched three crucial goals, Troost-Ekong believes the Napoli forward has showcased leadership qualities worthy of consideration for the captaincy role.
Osimhen’s contributions both on and off the pitch, including his pivotal role in Napoli’s Serie A triumph, exemplify his potential to lead the Super Eagles in the future.
“I am a fan of his. I saw his journey when he came to be a part of the Super Eagles in 2019, as an understudy of Odion Ighalo. I saw how hard he worked,” Troost-Ekong said.
“He is a leader in our team, and I tell him that ‘everybody is watching you. The way you play, it drives all of us’. I just try to remind him how important he is and I think he understands that role now and what he means to Nigeria as a person and as a football player.
“I’m sure that he’s going to be a captain of the Super Eagles in future, that’s my wish for him. And for him to win the AFCON and be the leader in that moment.”
Troost-Ekong ruled out for the rest of the season