After failing to secure professional contracts at Fulham and Tottenham, Nigerian central defender William Troost-Ekong moved to play in the Netherlands, Norway, Belgium and Turkey.

But having since gone on to play a major role in Nigeria's journey to the World Cup - he played every minute of the side's qualifying matches - will the two London clubs come to regret letting the player slip through their grasp?

Given his football education at Fulham and Tottenham, it was no surprise to see Troost-Ekong ease Nigeria into the game with his accurate and composed passing, which was perhaps optimised when he checked the ball past Mario Mandzukic to open up the pitch and begin an attacking move.

His defending against Croatia’s main man was very good in the opening stages. He got tight to the target man and looked to quickly steal the ball from him before he moved the ball onto a teammate, all the while displaying composure as cool as the green stripe in his hair.

A Nigerian side with a host of Premier League names, and captained by former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel, initially held their own against their superior opponents as the sides exchanged light jabs between each other in the first 30 minutes.

After a good start, Nigeria were caught napping from a corner and Croatia bundled the ball into the net via Oghenekaro Etebo. Troost-Ekong was marking Mandzukic but the Juventus forward drifted beyond him to head the ball onto Etebo and inside the post.

Luka Modric’s corner was well angled but Troost-Ekong stood still and could only watch on as his side conceded via Mandzukic's efforts.

After a decent start, Troost-Ekong had fallen short at his first big test at the back.

Having failed to get close to Mandzukic from an earlier corner, Troost-Ekong went too far in the opposite direction when he conceded a penalty in the 70th minute.

The defender again picked up Mandzukic from a corner but was caught wrapping both his arms around the Croatian’s shoulder and a penalty was awarded.

Croatia’s captain, Modric, stepped up and expertly slotted his penalty low to the left to ensure Nigeria were punished for their defensive mishaps.

He looked tidy on the ball and dealt with simple tasks, however that was about as good as it got for Troost-Ekong who came up short when it came to the important moments in the match.

Tottenham and Fulham may have been impressed with his skill on the ball and composure when dealing with basic defensive tasks, but his momentarily lapse in concentration which allowed Mandzukic to sneak beyond, along with the foolish penalty he conceded, cost his team and shows perhaps why he has been overlooked.

Former Nigeria national coach Sunday Oliseh branded him too soft, and he seems to have it spot on with that description.