Former Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong has revealed that he personally tried to persuade Canadian international Promise David to commit his international future to Nigeria before the striker opted to represent Canada.
Promise David, who was born in Canada to Nigerian parents, had been on the radar of Nigerian football authorities for some time due to his impressive rise in European football. The striker previously represented Nigeria at Under-23 level and remained eligible to play for the Super Eagles before switching allegiance to Canada.
Speaking about the situation, Troost-Ekong admitted he held direct conversations with the forward in an effort to convince him to choose Nigeria. The former Super Eagles skipper said he did everything possible but ultimately respected the player’s decision to represent his country of birth. According to Troost-Ekong, David’s rapid development made him an attractive prospect for the Nigerian national team setup.
David’s decision has since been vindicated by his growing importance to the Canadian national team. After completing his FIFA-approved switch in 2025, the striker earned senior recognition with Canada and was included in their squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup on home soil.
The 24-year-old has enjoyed a remarkable rise in recent years, progressing from relatively unknown leagues in Europe to becoming a key player for Belgian champions Union Saint-Gilloise. His performances earned him a place in Canada’s attacking ranks alongside star forward Jonathan David during the World Cup.
For Nigeria, David’s decision represents another missed opportunity in the battle for dual-nationality talents. The Super Eagles have enjoyed success in convincing several foreign-born players to represent the country over the years, but they have also lost a number of highly-rated prospects to other nations.
Troost-Ekong’s revelation highlights the efforts made behind the scenes by senior players and football officials to strengthen the national team with top talents of Nigerian heritage. However, in David’s case, the striker’s ambition to represent Canada and play at a home World Cup ultimately proved decisive.
