Former Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong has disclosed that he made a concerted effort to persuade Canada striker Promise David to commit his international career to Nigeria rather than Canada. The revelation came during a SuperSports broadcast, where Troost-Ekong detailed his conversations with the Ontario-born forward.
David's International Journey
Promise David, who was born in Ontario, Canada, initially represented Nigeria's Olympic national team in a 2023 U23 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Tanzania. However, he later decided to switch allegiance to Canada, his nation of birth. Because the matches he played for Nigeria were competitive, David required FIFA approval to change his sporting nationality, which he received in February 2025.
Since then, the Royale Union Saint-Gilloise player has made a significant impact at the ongoing tournament in Canada, Mexico, and the United States. Coming off the bench, he has contributed either a goal or an assist in both matches he has played, showcasing his rising talent on the international stage.
Troost-Ekong's Persuasion Effort
Troost-Ekong confirmed that he engaged in discussions with the talented forward about the option of representing the Super Eagles. Speaking on SuperSports, he said, “His rise has been meteoric, and of course, he is of Nigerian descent, so we had a conversation about playing for Nigeria. I tried my best to convince him.”
The former captain also commended David for making an immediate impact by scoring in Canada's 2-1 defeat to Switzerland during their final group match of the 2026 World Cup. This performance further highlighted the player's potential, which Troost-Ekong had hoped to harness for Nigeria.
Impact and Implications
David's choice to represent Canada over Nigeria underscores the growing competition for dual-nationality players in international football. While Nigeria has a rich pool of talent, the loss of a promising forward like David could be felt in future campaigns. However, Troost-Ekong's efforts reflect the Nigerian football community's desire to retain players of Nigerian descent.
As David continues to shine for Canada, his decision may serve as a case study for how national teams approach recruitment of diaspora players. For now, Troost-Ekong's admission provides insight into the behind-the-scenes efforts to secure top talent for the Super Eagles.
