Super Eagles defender, William Troost-Ekong has recounted how former head coach, Sunday Oliseh once told his fellow defender, Leon Balogun and him that they were “too soft” to play for the national team.
Balogun is half-German and Troost-Ekong, who made his international debut in 2015, is half-Dutch.
Troost-Ekong said, “There were a lot of doubts over me because I did not play for a big team in Holland before my first call-up. Then, on top of that, being ‘Oyibo’, or half-white, you have to prove yourself even more.
“My partner at centre-back (Leon Balogun) is half-German, half-Nigerian, so he is the same as me. After a game, he (Oliseh) said we were too soft to play against African players. That upset me, because one of my traits as a player is that I am someone who does not back away from anyone. I am not the most skilful, but I know what I am good at.
“I think that’s part of being from different countries, different cultures. It’s not nice when people try to use that against you. I identify myself as being Nigerian as well, and I feel at home in the team. Not once have I ever looked around and thought ‘this is not for me’. But it spurred me on. I have played against African strikers since then and no one has bullied me. I have proven my point.”
The 24-year-old defender is expected to feature in coach Gernot Rohr’s team to face England at Wembley today.
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