Super Eagles: Odemwingie takes swipe at Troost-Ekong over Nigeria’s captaincy – “Old glory”

Former Super Eagles striker Peter Odemwingie has criticised William Troost-Ekong’s continued captaincy of Nigeria while the defender was playing in Saudi Arabia, Soccernet.ng reports.

Troost-Ekong, who has since retired from international football, moved to Saudi Pro League side Al-Kholood in 2024 after leaving Greek club PAOK.

Despite moving away from European football, the defender remained Nigeria’s captain and continued to wear the armband under former head coach Finidi George and subsequently Eric Chelle.

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Odemwingie believes that should not have been the case, arguing that a player’s current level and environment should be considered when deciding who leads the Super Eagles.

Odemwingie: Troost-Ekong was riding on “past glory”

Speaking live on Brila FM with former Nigeria international Ifeanyi Udeze, the former West Bromwich Albion forward said Troost-Ekong was relying too much on his past achievements.

“It got to a point that when I see players like William Troost-Ekong, our captain (now retired), he moved to Saudi Arabia, and he was still captain of the national team,” Odemwingie said.

“I understand that he's still riding on his past glory, but, for me, when things like that happen, it's an automatic out for captaincy.”

The footballer-turned-golfer went further, insisting that playing in a top European league should be a requirement for anyone wearing the Super Eagles armband.

“Any player that doesn't play in a top league shouldn't captain the Super Eagles; it's a fact. It's not natural. Not just Nigeria, but any country,” he added.

Troost-Ekong was one of Nigeria’s most experienced defenders during his international career and captained the Super Eagles to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations final, where he won the Player of the Tournament award.

However, Odemwingie believes past achievements should not automatically guarantee a player leadership responsibilities once their club career moves away from the highest level.

Super Eagles captains should play in Europe

Odemwingie was then asked whether his argument would also apply to Victor Osimhen, who currently plays for Galatasaray in the Turkish Süper Lig and has been tipped as the next Nigeria captain.

The former striker was quick to distinguish Osimhen's situation from that of players who leave European football for Saudi Arabia.

“Oh, the Turkish Lig is a big league, they play Champions League football,” the former LOSC Lille striker said.

“I was talking about when players leave European football. European football for now is the strongest in the world.”

According to Odemwingie, the pursuit of Champions League football, or some sort of top goal in Europe, remains an important indicator of a player's competitive priorities.

“The Champions League is the biggest trophy, and the players that are hunting for that are usually the ones who put football first; every other thing comes after,” he explained.

He also used Cristiano Ronaldo's move to Saudi Arabia as an example of what he believes can happen when established players leave Europe's elite competitions.

“You know, Cristiano was still playing in Saudi and captained Portugal, but we saw the decline in his form; it's riding on past glory,” Odemwingie said.

He ultimately suggested that the decision to leave European football for a lucrative Saudi Arabian contract can create a conflict between financial security and the demands of elite-level football.

“The players who go after Saudi money, want to have two sides of the coin. They want to secure their financial future and play football. Half their head is already somewhere else,” Odemwingie concluded.

Wilfred Ndidi has been Nigeria's captain in William Troost-Ekong's absence, with Moses Simon, Victor Osimhen and Alex Iwobi all serving as vice-captains.