Nigeria: captain Troost-Ekong retires from international duty, a few weeks before AFCON 2025
A few weeks before AFCON 2025, William Troost-Ekong announced his international retirement, praising a Nigerian jersey he calls “the greatest privilege” of his career.
Le défenseur nigérian William Troost-Ekong pendant le match du groupe A de la Coupe d’Afrique des nations (CAN) 2024 entre la Côte d’Ivoire et le Nigeria, au stade olympique Alassane-Ouattara, à Ébimpé, Abidjan, le 18 janvier 2024. © FRANCK FIFE / AFP
The captain of the Super Eagles, William Troost-Ekong, announced this Thursday his international retirement, just weeks before the kickoff of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
The Nigerian defender made his decision official in a video posted on his social media, accompanied by a simple, symbolic message: “Honored. Grateful. Forever a Super Eagle.”
“Wearing the Nigeria jersey goes beyond football. It’s a duty, a privilege and an honor. I’m at peace with my decision, and sure I gave everything. Being captain of Nigeria exceeded all my wildest dreams”, he said. “The journey may end here, but my support will remain intact”, he added. First called up in 2015, Troost-Ekong wore the Nigerian jersey 83 times, scoring 8 goals.