‘Going Into Coaching Is Not My Dream’ — Troost-Ekong
The former Super Eagles captain says he’s already studying the governance structures needed to work within football administration, believing that’s where he can make the biggest impact.
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Former Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong has ruled out a future in coaching, revealing instead that his post retirement ambitions lie in football governance and administration.
Speaking to Brila FM, the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations Player of the Tournament said he’s been asked repeatedly about taking up a coaching role, but that it isn’t something he’s particularly drawn to. He explained that he has already begun studying the governance structures and requirements needed to work within the Nigeria Football Federation, with the aim of leaving a lasting administrative legacy.
Troost-Ekong argued that more former players should consider moving into boardroom or federation level roles, whether with FIFA, CAF, or the NFF, saying simply, “that’s probably where you can make the biggest change.”
The veteran defender retired from international football in December 2025, closing out a decade-long Super Eagles career during which he earned 83 caps and captained the national team. Over five major tournaments, he won an Olympic bronze medal in 2016, an AFCON bronze medal in 2019, and an AFCON silver medal as captain in 2023.
Did You Know?
- William Troost-Ekong earned 83 caps for the Super Eagles across a decade long international career.
- He retired from international football in December 2025.
- He won an Olympic bronze medal with Nigeria’s men’s football team in 2016.
- He was named Player of the Tournament at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, where Nigeria finished runners-up.
- Nigeria also won AFCON bronze in 2019 during his international career.
- Troost-Ekong captained the Super Eagles for a significant part of his international career.
- He says he is currently studying football governance structures with the aim of working within the NFF or similar bodies.
