By Valentine Uchechukwu Ndukwu
Nigeria Shocked as Super Eagles Captain William Troost-Ekong Retires Before AFCON
Nigeria has been hit with surprising news as Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong announced his retirement from international football, just weeks before the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) kicks off in Morocco.
Troost-Ekong, who made his debut in 2015, played 83 matches for Nigeria and became one of the country’s most trusted defenders.
He previously led the team to the AFCON final two years ago and was part of the squad that won bronze at the Rio 2016 Olympics.
In a heartfelt statement, the 32-year-old defender reflected on his journey, recalling how the late coach Stephen Keshi gave him his first chance with the national team.
He described captaining the Super Eagles as a dream he never imagined possible, especially as someone born and raised in the Netherlands.
Troost-Ekong celebrated his achievements, including five major tournaments, medals at the Olympics and AFCON, and becoming the highest-scoring defender in AFCON history.
He said the 2023 AFCON, where he scored in the final and won Player of the Tournament, taught him the true Nigerian spirit of resilience.
Though stepping away from international duty, Troost-Ekong emphasized that this is not a final goodbye.
He promised to keep supporting Nigerian football and to continue his work through The Troost-Ekong Foundation, which focuses on improving opportunities for Nigerians.
He thanked his teammates, coaches, and especially the fans he called “the heartbeat of Nigerian football,” saying the iconic Super Eagles shirt was an honour to wear for the past decade.
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