Troost-Ekong: Oliseh said I’m too soft for African football — I have proven my point

William Troost-Ekong, Super Eagles defender, says Sunday Oliseh’s criticism motivated him to excel.

He said the former Eagles coach once described him as “too soft for African football” after an international game.

In an interview with UK Telegraph UK, the defender said: “My partner at centre-back [new Brighton signing Leon Balogun] is half-German, half-Nigerian, so he is the same as me.

“After a game, he [Oliseh] said we were too soft to play against African players.

“That upset me because one of my traits as a player is that I am someone who does not back away from anyone. I am not the most skilful, but I know what I am good at.

“I think that’s part of being from different countries, different cultures. It’s not nice when people try to use that against you.

“I identify myself as being Nigerian as well, and I feel at home in the team. Not once have I ever looked around and thought ‘this is not for me’. But it spurred me on.

“I have played against African strikers since then and no one has bullied me. I have proven my point.”

The defender made his debut for the Super Eagles in 2015.

Nigeria’s friendly against England on Saturday will afford Troost-Ekong a reunion with Harry Kane, his former Tottenham teammate.

“He was one of the first guys that sat me down and helped me,” Troost-Ekong said of Kane.

“It’s amazing to see how well he has done.”

Troost-Ekong recalled how he left Tottenham in 2013 following the appointment of Tim Sherwood as manager.

“Me and Tim did not have the best rapport,” he said. “He did not really believe in me as a player.”

The Nigerian star believes he has unfinished business in the English Premier League and hopes to return someday.

“I’ve taken a different route,” he added

“But if I can get to the Premier League, I will feel like I have achieved a lot.”