Nigerian captain William Troost-Ekong has announced his retirement from international football, bringing an end to his time with the national team, SportPremi reports.
The 32-year-old in a statement released on social media called time on his career at the Nigerian national team just days ahead of the 2025 African Cup of Nations tournament.
The former Watford defender became the captain of the Super Eagles under the late Stephen Keshi and was an important member of the squad until his retirement.
Wilfried Ndidi is expected to take up the mantle in the absence of Ekong and lead Nigeria to the tournament later this month in Morocco.
Troost-Ekong’s Super Eagles career
Troost-Ekong was born in Netherlands to a Dutch mother and a Nigerian father, making him eligible to feature for both countries.
He played youth football for the Oranje, but chose to represent the Super Eagles and made his debut in 2015.
The 32-year-old captained Nigeria to two AFCON tournaments – 2021 and 2023, and was also part of the 2019 squad that won bronze medal in the tournament hosted in Egypt.
He helped the country to silver medal at the last AFCON tournament and was named the player of the tournament despite missing out on the prestigious trophy.
The Al-Kholood defender is also the highest-scoring defender in the history of the African Cup of Nations with five goals.
Troost-Ekong also won bronze at the 2016 summer Olympic games and represented Nigeria at the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
He ends his international career with 93 caps and eight goals, while he also played in five major tournaments.
Troost-Ekong retires from international football
In a statement released on Thursday, the former Watford defender announced the decision to quit playing for the national team few weeks to the 2025 AFCON.
“Every single time I have put on that iconic shirt to walk out onto the pitch, I have thought back to that moment. To have achieved 93 senior caps, played in five major tournaments, won three medals, and broken a few records — I have lived my dream”, Troost-Ekong said on social media.
“That tournament taught me what it truly means to be Nigerian; that in adversity, we come together, we hustle, we fight through the pain and we rise.
Time has come to pass on the responsibility, to pass on the opportunity and pass on the captaincy. As a custodian of an iconic shirt, I’ve always known it was only borrowed. Now it’s the turn of the next generation to continue to write their own story”, the defender continued.
“This isn’t a final goodbye. My work within Nigerian communities continues, just as my love and passion for this team will never fade.”
The 32-year-old’s absence represents a major setback for the Super Eagles just weeks before the tournament in Morocco, though he is expected to still join the team for the tournament, but not as a player.
