“It’s an advantage” – William Troost-Ekong talks on foreign vs home-based coach debate

Super Eagles and Al-Kholood centre back, William Troost-Ekong, has weighed in on the raging debate of whether a foreign coach is best for the Nigerian men’s football team, Soccernet.ng reports. 

The former Watford man is one of the leading statures in the Super Eagles dressing room, as he’s accrued almost a decade of experience in the national team.

He’s played under different coaches in the National Team, home-based and foreign alike. Quizzed about his preferred choice to lead the three-time AFCON winners, the former PAOK defender went with the local option.

“I don’t think we look at where the coach is from, but I’ve always said it, having a coach from Nigeria is an advantage. Someone who has been in our shoes and walked the path we’re in, and that adds experience to us. Eventually the responsibility lies on us (players), because the coach can prepare us but when the game starts, there are no guarantees. We can’t say we’ll win or lose. We can only guarantee a performance that we’ll be proud of, and that Nigerians deserve,” the Super Eagles said in the pre-match conference ahead of Nigeria’s clash against Gernot Rohr’s Benin Republic.

Despite winning the Greek Super League with PAOK Thessaloniki last season, the former Udinese man joined Saudi Arabian side, Al Kholood, this summer after just one year with the Greek Champions. He has not played for Nigeria since the AFCON 2023 final against Ivory Coast.