Troost-Ekong: Oliseh in touch, I want to be in new Eagles

William Troost-Ekong - He wishes to be part of the new Super Eagles under coach Oliseh

by Staff Reporter

Wednesday Aug 12, 2015. 12:34

Nigeria international William Troost-Ekong has revealed to AfricanFootball.com new Eagles coach Sunday Oliseh has been in touch with him and his dream now is to be part of the new team the coach is working on after he made his international debut in June.

He also talked about how Nwankwo Kanu and Thierry Henry inspired him in this exclusive interview with AfricanFootball.com

He revealed why he joined Norwegian club Haugesund on loan from Belgian champions Gent.

The full interview:

AFRICANFOOTBALL.COM: Where do you start your football career and how?

TROOST-EKONG: I started off in the Netherlands before being spotted by Fulham when I was 13. I moved to Tottenham Hotspur when I was 15 where I played until the summer of 2013, when I decided to return back to the Netherlands in order to play first-team football at FC Groningen.

What makes you decide to be a footballer right from such a tender age?

I was always very passionate about it and fell in love with the game like most young boys do. When I realised I had the talent, I wanted to go to the top and made it my goal to do so.

Who inspired you as a footballer?

Thierry Henry and Nwankwo Kanu were the players I looked up to when I was a young boy.

Your role models are strikers, while you are a defender, what's the connection?

I actually started as a striker. My pace is one of my qualities, I then moved to midfield and eventually as I progressed, I became a central defender. After that transformation to a defender in England, I enjoy watching Vincent Kompany, I like his style.

This is the first time you will play as a professional outside Holland, is there any differences in both leagues?

Yes, this was a big summer for me. I signed for Belgian champions Gent, but continuing to play weekly was most important to me as I did last season in the Eredivisie in the Netherlands and so the choice to be loaned out to Norwegian top league was a good step for me now.

It is a different type of football, but I think I'm suited for both and both are of a high standard.

Which coach or at what club were you turned to a defender?

At Fulham I started the transition, but at Tottenham Hotspur, I learned how to play as a central defender. That's where I got my style from.

You played for Holland U19 and U20, what informed your decision to accept the invitation to play for Nigeria at full international level?

It was a boyhood dream for me to play for the Super Eagles. I have travelled to Nigeria countless times because my father lives there still. The opportunity to play for Nigeria before just hadn't come up, seeing my performances at the end of last season in the Netherlands, I started to attract some attention which eventually resulted in the call-up I think. So, when I heard about the call-up I didn't have to think twice!

I enjoyed my debut. To put on the Nigeria shirt and win was an honour for my family and me. But it is just the start. I want to build on that now.

What was your debut for the Eagles like?

My debut in Kaduna was very special and a good team performance to start the new AFCON campaign with a win, we can build on that now.

What are your dreams with the Eagles now?

I want to be a part and play my part in the new-look Super Eagles, that is my dream. I am putting in performances at club level to hopefully be called up again for the next games. The first focus is to get the qualification ticket to Gabon AFCON 2017 and do well there. That is what Nigeria deserves.

Sunday Oliseh is Eagles new coach, what do you know about him?

I have spoken with him, he was a very big player who I remember from his days at Ajax.

Which league or club do you dream to play for at some point in future?

I would love to play in the English Premier League one day. By God's grace and hard work, that will happen in the future.


How has the Haugesund experience been?

It has been a worthwhile experience. Two wins in two games is great.