Troost‑Ekong: I Tried to Convince David Promise to Join the Super Eagles for the 2026 World Cup

Former Super Eagles captain William Troost‑Ekong said he tried to persuade Canadian striker Promise David to pursue an international career with Nigeria instead of Canada.

The Ontario‑born player had contemplated representing Nigeria but ultimately decided to represent his country of birth after appearing for Nigeria’s Olympic side in a 2023 U23 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Tanzania.

Because his appearances for Nigeria’s U23 team were competitive fixtures, David required FIFA approval to represent Canada, which he received in February 2025.

The Royale Union Saint‑Gilloise player has had a notable impact in the current World Cup, held in Canada, Mexico, and the United States, registering either a goal or an assist in each of the two matches he has appeared in as a substitute.

Troost‑Ekong confirmed that he had spoken with the forward about the possibility of representing the Super Eagles.

Speaking on SuperSports, the former captain remarked, “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.”

Troost‑Ekong also praised David for his immediate impact, noting his goal in Canada’s 2‑1 loss to Switzerland in the final group match of the 2026 World Cup.