Joseph Yobo praises William Troost-Ekong’s leadership in the Super Eagles

Super Eagles legend Joseph Yobo has heaped praise on William Troost-Ekong, the current on-field captain of Nigeria’s national football team, for his outstanding leadership and performances.

Troost-Ekong, who officially serves as the vice-captain, has taken on more responsibility in the absence of Ahmed Musa, and his contributions have not gone unnoticed.

While Ahmed Musa remains Nigeria’s official captain, his role with the national team has been limited due to his current status as a free agent. Troost-Ekong, the former Watford and PAOK defender, has stepped up in Musa’s absence, leading the Super Eagles with distinction in the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.

Troost-Ekong’s leadership has been crucial both on and off the pitch. He has captained Nigeria through key matches, helping the team remain defensively solid and contributing offensively with three goals, tying Ademola Lookman as Nigeria’s joint-top scorer in the qualifiers. His performances have earned him recognition not only for his defensive prowess but also for his leadership qualities.

In a recent interview with The Guardian, Yobo, himself a former Super Eagles captain and defensive stalwart, spoke highly of Troost-Ekong. Yobo, who served as an assistant coach to the national team from 2020, highlighted the 30-year-old’s exceptional leadership skills, describing him as both a great player and a wonderful human being.

“Congratulations to him; he is a great player but more so a wonderful human being,” Yobo said. “When you talk about leadership, this guy, for me, without putting anyone down, is one of the best in the team.”

Yobo further reflected on his time working closely with Troost-Ekong during the 2016 Olympics in Brazil, where the defender first made his mark with the Nigeria U23 team. Yobo, now involved with the national team coaching staff, added, “With my role as a defensive coach, I realised he was a fantastic leader apart from being a player. Leadership doesn’t come to everybody. He is a fantastic leader and I’m happy he’s come back and proved it at the last AFCON, almost leading the team to glory.”

Troost-Ekong’s leadership was particularly evident during Nigeria’s recent AFCON qualifiers, where his absence was felt when Nigeria struggled under interim coach Finidi George. Upon his return to the squad during the last international break, the Super Eagles secured four points from two matches under Augustine Eguavoen, further highlighting his importance to the team.

Yobo praised Troost-Ekong’s communication skills and adaptability, noting that despite his diverse background—born in the Netherlands to a Nigerian father and Dutch mother—he has become a strong and unifying presence within the squad.