Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong has formally announced his retirement from international football.
The retirement decision reportedly comes in the wake of Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, following defeat to DR Congo national football team in the final playoff round.
According to team sources, Troost-Ekong broke the news to his teammates in the dressing room immediately after the game — marking that match as his final appearance for the Super Eagles.
While he will not feature on the pitch again, the defender said he would still travel with the squad to the upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco — but only in a supportive, non-playing capacity.
Troost-Ekong made his international debut for Nigeria in 2015 during an AFCON qualifier against Chad national football team.
Over the years, he formed a formidable defensive partnership with Leon Balogun — a duo that earned the nickname “The Oyibo Wall.”
The 2023 AFCON in Côte d’Ivoire stands out as a highlight: he captained Nigeria to the final and was honoured as the tournament’s Most Valuable Player, even though the Super Eagles fell short at the last hurdle.
With Troost-Ekong stepping aside, leadership responsibilities are expected to shift to younger players. Reports suggest Wilfred Ndidi — among the squad’s senior internationals — could be considered for the captain’s armband ahead of AFCON 2025.
As the Super Eagles prepare for AFCON and beyond without one of their most dependable defenders and captains, the Nigerian football community reflects on not just a great player’s exit — but the end of an era marked by leadership, resilience, and pride in wearing the national colours.
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