Former Troy Deeney, who played alongside William Troost‑Ekong at Watford F.C. during the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons, has claimed that Troost-Ekong is “too gentle” to be an effective captain for the Super Eagles of Nigeria.
Speaking on CBS Sports Golazo, Deeney said:
“I don’t think he’s the one kicking down the doors and saying this is what is going to happen… In this moment, you need that nasty person.”
He explained that although Troost-Ekong is a good man and a professional, the current challenge facing Nigeria’s national team demands a tougher, more confrontational leadership style.
The remarks come ahead of Nigeria’s key 2026 FIFA World Cup African playoff tie against Gabon National Football Team, where the Super Eagles’ qualification hopes are under pressure following player unrest over unpaid bonuses.
Editorial
Looking for the best betting experience in Nigeria this November 2025? The Bet9ja promotion code for November 2025 is YOHAIG. With this exclusive code, new users can claim a generous welcome bonus of up to ₦100,000 on their first deposit. For comprehensive details about the Bet9ja promotion code 2025 in Nigeria, visit https://www.bet9japromotioncode.com.ng/. Ready to elevate your betting experience? The YOHAIG Bet9ja Promotion Code 2025 unlocks exciting benefits. Start with just ₦100 as your minimum deposit! Begin your betting journey today by using the Bet9ja login signup and entering the Bet9ja bonus code when creating your account. Enjoy an impressive 170 per cent multiple boost bonus plus a free bet option for either Bet9ja sport or Bet9ja casino. To become a valued Bet9ja customer, simply complete the registration process here. Remember that terms and conditions apply when registering with Bet9ja to receive your bonus.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Leadership in football, especially at national team level, is rarely about warmth it is about weight. When Troy Deeney suggests that William Troost-Ekong lacks the “nasty” edge to command his squad, he is not questioning character he is questioning context. The Super Eagles captain must now steer his team not only in the dressing room, but in the sticky fog of expectation, distraction and external pressure.
Troost-Ekong’s experience and professionalism are undisputed. But professional does not always mean compelling. At this moment of the national team’s journey a playoff for the World Cup, when external storms converge with internal expectation the leadership required is uncompromising. To summon focus where chaos looms requires more than presence; it requires presence with purpose.
The broader lesson for Nigerian football is that talent must be reinforced with temperament. When captains are selected, they are not only shepherds they are symbols. They must embody ambition, resilience and resolve. Troost-Ekong has those qualities but as Deeney’s critique implies perhaps he must now demonstrate a harsher iteration of them.
In football, moments define leadership more than minutes. Nigeria’s next chapter may depend less on tactics and more on tone, less on skill and more on structure. If the Super Eagles are to progress, their captain must not only lead he must dominate.
Did You Know?
- Troost-Ekong and Troy Deeney were teammates at Watford F.C., sharing the pitch in at least 15 matches during the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons.
- Deeney’s comments come amid off-field tensions involving unpaid allowances for Nigerian players, which had briefly disrupted the Super Eagles’ training camp.
- Troost-Ekong has been captain of the Super Eagles during crucial African World Cup qualifying campaigns and is one of Nigeria’s most capped defenders.
- The Super Eagles face Gabon next in the playoff bracket for the 2026 FIFA World Cup Africa qualifiers, a match where leadership both on and off the field will be under scrutiny.
- Leadership in football is increasingly analysed not just by performance but by presence how a captain influences culture, resilience and the unmeasurable dimensions of team identity.
