Former Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong has identified Samuel Eto’o, Andriy Shevchenko and Brazilian football legend Zico as examples for Nigerian football, saying more retired players should take leadership roles within the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), CAF and FIFA instead of focusing only on coaching.
The former Nigeria international said he is preparing for a career in football administration after retirement through educational programmes organised by the English Football Association. At the same time, he said experienced former players can help strengthen Nigerian football by bringing their knowledge into decision-making roles.
SuperEaglesNG reports that Troost-Ekong made the remarks during an interview with Brila FM as debate continues over the future of the Super Eagles and Nigerian football following the country’s failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
William Troost-Ekong Cites Samuel Eto’o And Andriy Shevchenko As Examples For Nigerian Football
Troost-Ekong said the success of former players such as Cameroon Football Federation president Samuel Eto’o, Ukrainian football chief Andriy Shevchenko and Brazilian great Zico shows that retired footballers can continue to influence the game away from the pitch.
“I have had so many people ask me about coaching the team. I am not sure that is something that I really want to do,” Troost-Ekong said.
“I think there also need to be players that think about going one level above that, whether it is going to be in the boardroom, whether it is going to be working with federations, with FIFA, with CAF, or with the NFF. I think that is probably where you can make the biggest change.”
The former Super Eagles captain said his ambition is to contribute to football administration rather than move directly into coaching after retirement.
Troost-Ekong Urges More Former Super Eagles Players To Join NFF And Football Administration
Furthermore, Troost-Ekong said former Nigeria internationals understand the challenges facing Nigerian football because they have experienced the system throughout their playing careers.
He acknowledged that African football administration often involves political challenges. However, he said those obstacles should not discourage former players from seeking leadership positions within the NFF, CAF and FIFA.
“It is a difficult landscape because in African football there is also a lot of politics involved. We have so many ex-players who have a great understanding of the game. I do not think we have seen enough ex-players getting involved from the top.
“For me in Nigerian football, it is about finding ways that we can collaborate and enhance the federation because we have been there; we have seen it.”
Troost-Ekong added that he wants to help Nigerian football achieve greater success after retirement by working with football governing bodies.
“What I would love to do now, and the way I am preparing this part of my career, is to try and find ways where I can be part of the solution to see Nigeria reach bigger heights than we did when I was a player,” he said.
Troost-Ekong retired from international football in 2025 after making 83 appearances for the Super Eagles. During his Nigeria career, he represented the country at the 2016 Olympic Games, the 2018 FIFA World Cup and several Africa Cup of Nations tournaments. He also captained the Super Eagles to the 2023 AFCON final and won the tournament’s Best Player award.
