William Troost-Ekong reveals difficulties in honoring Afcon call-up

By Monsurah Olatunji

Nigeria national team captain William Troost-Ekong has opened up about the challenges players face when balancing club commitments with international duties, particularly in relation to the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Troost-Ekong shared his experiences, especially during his time at Watford, where he encountered resistance from clubs reluctant to release players for national team duty.

He reiterated the pressure players face from club managers, who often urge them to delay their departure for international obligations.

Reflecting on a notable incident involving his compatriot Emmanuel Dennis, who famously opted out of an AFCON call-up while Troost-Ekong honored his, the 31-year-old defender discussed the importance of clear communication with clubs about international duties.

Speaking on a podcast with former teammate Ben Foster, Troost-Ekong recounted, “I think everybody remembers how it was with [Emmanuel] Dennis as well at the time because he actually didn’t go and I did go.”

He continued, “When I was in PAOK, I made it a clear point when I signed to say ‘well, it’s an AFCON year, I’ll most likely be going, so just keep that in mind. I hope you guys are happy with it. So they kind of agreed to it.'”

Troost-Ekong also shared the frustrations players face when trying to meet both club and international commitments.

“When the time comes and you have to leave, the manager is always going to be like ‘try and play one more game before you go, try and go late, make sure you come back.’ Then, if you come back with a ripped hamstring, then it’s not going down well.”