Udinese defender William Troost-Ekong has been plunged into deep controversy after it was revealed that unnamed NFF officials were planning to ban him from the Super Eagles for being ‘arrogant and disrespectful' but a close confidant has jumped to defend the Dutch-born centre back.
John Ogu has expressed his surprise than anyone would want to cast negative clouds over a player as ‘very respectable' as William Troost-Ekong, insisting that all that has been made public about the Serie A-based defender were nothing but fake news.
The controversy was made public after BBC journalist Osasu Obayiuwana quoted officials of the Nigeria Football Federation about the plans being made to ban Troost-Ekong for being a disruptive influence around the Super Eagles team.
The incident of reference was the bonus row that nearly marred the team's outing at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Egypt, a row being alleged to have been instigated by the Udinese defender.
Midfielder John Ogu, who was also part of the Nigeria squad to Egypt 2019, has come out to clear the air regarding the steaming allegations.
“How people come up and talk negative about a very decent and loyal player like Troost-Ekong baffles me. This boy is one of the very respectable player in the Super Eagles and the NFF. A loyal servant and a guy who always want to learn and be the best,” Ogu tweeted from his official Twitter handle as monitored by Soccernet.ng.
“When it comes to news about the Super Eagles and the NFF, I promise to use my platform to address it. I don’t care what y’all think about it all. TroostEkong was never and will never do what he was accused of. This boy wants to be the best and win games for our Nation.”
“I respect you Mr Osasuo and I won’t say much but please could you please come up with whoever accused an innocent boy of all you tweeted. TroostEkong is one loyal guy and a guy who always will focused on his job . He has never disrespected anyone in the team or the officials.”
How people come up and talk negative about a very decent and loyal player like @WTroostEkong baffles me . This boy is one of the very respectable player in the @NGSuperEagles @thenff . A loyal servant and a guy who always want to learn and be the best ..
— John Ogu (@ogujohnugo) September 26, 2019
When it comes to news about the @NGSuperEagles and @thenff ,i promise to use my platform to address it. I don’t care what y’all think about it all . @WTroostEkong was never and will never do what he was accused of. This boy wants to be the best and win games for our Nation.
— John Ogu (@ogujohnugo) September 26, 2019
I respect you Mr @osasuo and I won’t say much but please could you please come up with whoever accused an innocent boy of all you tweeted. @WTroostEkong is one loyal guy and a guy who always will focused on his job . He has never disrespected anyone in the team or the officials
— John Ogu (@ogujohnugo) September 26, 2019
Despite the controversy, William Troost-Ekong has been named by team coach Gernot Rohr in the 23-man squad to face the Samba Boys of Brazil in Singapore on October 13.
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