Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong has shocked Nigerian football fans after announcing his retirement from international duty, just weeks before the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations kicks off in Morocco.
The 32-year-old defender made the announcement on his 𝕏 account on Thursday, posting a concise but emotional message confirming that his decade-long journey with the national team had come to an end. In the post, Troost-Ekong described himself as “honoured” and “forever a Super Eagle,” signalling the close of a remarkable international career that included 83 caps, eight goals, and three AFCON medals.
“Honoured. Grateful. Forever a Super Eagle,” he wrote.
“Playing for Nigeria has been the greatest privilege of my life. The journey may end here, but my support never will. Here’s to the next chapter.”
Troost-Ekong’s rise began in 2015 when he earned his first senior call-up. He soon became a cornerstone of the national defence, admired for his consistency, leadership and determination.
His crowning achievement came at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, where he captained Nigeria to a second-place finish and earned the tournament’s Player of the Tournament award—an accolade that cemented his legacy among the country’s modern greats.
The timing of his retirement, however, has intensified concerns ahead of AFCON 2025. Nigeria is already grappling with the loss of promising young defender Benjamin Frederick, who has been ruled out of the tournament and the upcoming World Cup qualifiers due to injury.
For head coach Eric Chelle, the sudden departure of Troost-Ekong—combined with Frederick’s absence—poses significant challenges. The team must quickly reorganize its defensive structure, find suitable replacements, and build cohesion at a critical time.
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Troost-Ekong leaves behind big shoes to fill and a legacy that fans believe will be difficult to replicate. His leadership, resilience, and unwavering commitment to the green-and-white remain hallmarks of his decade with the Super Eagles.
