“A team of divas” – Ex-Sierra Leone midfielder berates Ekong’s leadership following Super Eagles training boycott

William Troost-Ekong took to his social media page to clarify why the Super Eagles chose not to train yesterday…

Former Sierra Leone and San Antonio midfielder Michael Lahoud has talked down on the leadership qualities of William Troost-Ekong, Soccernet.ng reports.

All 24 of the players called up by Eric Chelle for the World Cup play-offs against Gabon all arrived in Rabat on Monday.

The Super Eagles were supposed to have their first training session yesterday evening, but in a surprising turn of events, they decided to boycott training over unpaid bonuses and allowances from the NFF.

Once resolution is found we will be the first to confirm.

Any other statement/claim or eSPECIALly demands other than the rightful request written about below is FALSE.

All we want and continue to do is focus on the big games ahead. https://t.co/093Naixfl3

— William Troost-Ekong (M.O.N) (@WTroostEkong) November 11, 2025

Ekong took to his social media page to clarify the situation of things yesterday, revealing that training would commence once an agreement is reached between the players and the Federation.

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This evening, the 32-year-old confirmed all issues between the NFF and the Super Eagles have been sorted.

Issue RESOLVED. Outstanding financials cleared and on ground. Team is UNITED and focussed as before on representing NIGERIA with our maximum for the games ahead! @NGSuperEagles

— William Troost-Ekong (M.O.N) (@WTroostEkong) November 12, 2025

Lahoud slams NFF for Super Eagles treatment

Lahoud, 39, works as a pundit with CBS Sports Golazo after retiring in 2019. He played four games for the Leone Stars during his active days as a footballer, and mentioned that the poor treatment by the Nigerian Federation isn't a new act.

“So, the biggest thing that the Nigerian players are playing against isn't the opponent; it's always been the Federation,” the ex-Chivas man said on the Morning Footy show with CBS Sports.

“This has been a long-standing issue in Nigerian football.

“Sunday Oliseh, the Nigerian legend, came out during the World Cup qualifiers, and he said this has been going on since 2001.

“The Federation has not been paying since then. I mean, think about the icons, the greats on paper that have been in the team since that time.

“There's a reason why Nigeria has never fulfilled its potential.

“Full credit to Morocco for being the first African team to reach the World Cup semi-final, but Nigerian teams of old have had enough quality to get there, and the Federation has been a disaster for decades.

“Nigeria is at a pinnacle, a make-or-break moment in world football. Players like Victor Osimhen, who's an elite striker, and Ademola Lookman, but when you're playing against your federation, that sets you up for long-term failure.

Ekong's leadership questioned

William Troost-Ekong captained the Super Eagles to the AFCON 2023 final, winning the MVP award in that tournament.

Still, Lahoud believes the former Udinese defender hasn't done enough to lead Nigeria, especially with his performances on the pitch.

“This team needs to be unified. They've played like a team of Individuals, but this is a team of divas,” the former Trinity Tigers assistant manager concluded.

“You need to have serious leadership, and the only leader in Nigeria right now is Victor Osimhen.

“William Troost-Ekong hasn't stepped up as a leader. He's a social media leader. He's tweeted things

“The biggest thing he's done in terms of leadership was when they had the debacle in Libya when they were left at the airport.

“He did the press conferences, but on the field, he's done zero talking. He hasn't led from the back, so at the end of the day, Nigeria needs to do the talking on the pitch.

“When it comes to the World Cup, you need as much time on the pitch as possible.

“All of Africa doesn't want Nigeria to qualify, so it's on the players now to do with it what they will, and I think Osimhen has to step up since he got them there with his hat-trick.

“If he plays like he did against Benin, and the rest of the team gets up to his level, Nigeria will be at the World Cup. If not, they can sit with us during the tournament,” Lahoud concluded.

Troy Deeney and William Troost-Ekong were teammates at Watford, yet, were never on the pitch together at any point in time.

Still, the former Birmingham City striker agreed with Lahoud, stating the Super Eagles captain lacks the ‘nastiness' currently required to lead the current crop of Nigerian players.

“I agree with the Ekong part. I don't think he's the one who'll be breaking down doors to make things happen,” the 37-year-old said.

“I agree with the social media side of things. He's a good guy, a good person, but in times like this, you need that nasty person.

“That one who's going to be like you're not training, you're not moving.

“I just think it's a huge shame that it's the World Cup qualifier and we're talking about off-the-field stuff again.

“It's not the first time, nor the 50th, and that's a shame from Nigeria,” Deeney concluded.

Nigeria will take on Gabon at the Stade Prince Moulay El Hassan tomorrow, with kickoff slated for 5:00 PM WAT.