Ekong Targets Football Administration After Retirement, Says Politics Hinders Progress
Former Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong has revealed his desire to pursue a career in football administration after retirement, saying he believes meaningful change in Nigerian football can only come when more former players occupy leadership positions.
The 32-year-old centre-back, who retired from international football in 2025 after making 83 appearances for Nigeria, disclosed that he has already begun preparing for life after football through educational programmes organised by the English Football Association.
Speaking to Brila FM, Ekong said he is more interested in influencing the game from the boardroom than from the touchline as a coach.
"I have had so many people ask me about coaching the team. I'm not sure that is something that I really want to do," he said.
"I think there also need to be players that think about going one level above that, whether it is going to be in the boardroom, whether it is working with federations like FIFA, CAF or even the NFF.
I think that's probably where you can make the biggest change."
Ekong acknowledged that football administration in Africa is often complicated by political interests, describing it as "a difficult landscape" because of the level of politics involved.
His comments come amid growing criticism of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) following the Super Eagles' failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Former Nigeria international Peter Ijeh and ex-captain John Obi Mikel have also blamed poor governance and administrative shortcomings for the country's football struggles.
Ekong believes former players possess valuable experience that can help improve Nigerian football if they are given opportunities to serve at the highest administrative level.
"We have so many ex-players that have a great understanding of the game. I don't think we have seen enough ex-players getting involved from the top.
"For me, it's about finding ways we can collaborate and enhance the federation because we've been there and we've seen it."
The former Watford and PAOK defender said his long-term ambition is to become part of the solution that will help Nigerian football achieve greater success than it enjoyed during his playing career.
Across world football, several former stars have successfully transitioned into leadership roles, with figures such as Samuel Eto'o and Andriy Shevchenko serving as presidents of their respective football federations.
Ekong captained Nigeria to a runners-up finish at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, where he was named the tournament's Best Player, and also represented the country at the 2016 Olympic Games, the 2018 FIFA World Cup and multiple AFCON tournaments.
His latest remarks are expected to fuel further debate on the role former internationals should play in shaping the future of Nigerian football.
The 32-year-old centre-back, who retired from international football in 2025 after making 83 appearances for Nigeria, disclosed that he has already begun preparing for life after football through educational programmes organised by the English Football Association.
Speaking to Brila FM, Ekong said he is more interested in influencing the game from the boardroom than from the touchline as a coach.
"I have had so many people ask me about coaching the team. I'm not sure that is something that I really want to do," he said.
"I think there also need to be players that think about going one level above that, whether it is going to be in the boardroom, whether it is working with federations like FIFA, CAF or even the NFF.
I think that's probably where you can make the biggest change."
Ekong acknowledged that football administration in Africa is often complicated by political interests, describing it as "a difficult landscape" because of the level of politics involved.
His comments come amid growing criticism of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) following the Super Eagles' failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Former Nigeria international Peter Ijeh and ex-captain John Obi Mikel have also blamed poor governance and administrative shortcomings for the country's football struggles.
Ekong believes former players possess valuable experience that can help improve Nigerian football if they are given opportunities to serve at the highest administrative level.
"We have so many ex-players that have a great understanding of the game. I don't think we have seen enough ex-players getting involved from the top.
"For me, it's about finding ways we can collaborate and enhance the federation because we've been there and we've seen it."
The former Watford and PAOK defender said his long-term ambition is to become part of the solution that will help Nigerian football achieve greater success than it enjoyed during his playing career.
Across world football, several former stars have successfully transitioned into leadership roles, with figures such as Samuel Eto'o and Andriy Shevchenko serving as presidents of their respective football federations.
Ekong captained Nigeria to a runners-up finish at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, where he was named the tournament's Best Player, and also represented the country at the 2016 Olympic Games, the 2018 FIFA World Cup and multiple AFCON tournaments.
His latest remarks are expected to fuel further debate on the role former internationals should play in shaping the future of Nigerian football.
