High-flying Nigerian center back, William Troost-Ekong has opened up on how he made Super Eagles new man, Cyriel Kolawole Dessers, choose Nigeria ahead of his land of birth, Belgium.

The Heracles of Holland top man Dessers, 25, was born in Belgium to a Belgian father and a Nigerian mother.

The Dutch Eredivisie top scorer (15 goals) committed his international future to Nigeria early this year and was promptly included in the Eagles’ squad for their 2021 AFCON qualifiers against Sierra Leone before the novel coronavirus outbreak.

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Ekong who took to his live Instagram session on Tuesday, however, mentioned that Dessers contacted him for advice before, making up his mind.

“I spoke with Cyriel Dessers before his call up. He asked me questions about being part of the team. We both speak Dutch. It was normal for us to talk, I said he should take the opportunity with both hands.

“I told him there is a tough competition in the striker role and that playing for the Super Eagles is the best decision I have ever made myself playing football.”

Troost-Ekong added: “I’m really happy he decided to play for Nigeria. He is really looking forward to it. It is great now that more and more young and talented players want to play for the Super Eagles as we are one of the biggest teams in Africa.”

Ekong, also a Udinese of Italy defender, was born in the Netherlands, to a Dutch mother and to Nigerian father.

He joined the youth Academy at Tottenham Hotspurs but failed to make a single appearance at senior level for the club.

He has played in the Netherlands with Groningen, in Norway with Haugesund, featured for Bursaspor in the Turkish league.