Troost-Ekong retirement confirmed as the Super Eagles captain ends his international career after 83 caps and a decade of service
Nigeria captain William Troost-Ekong has confirmed his retirement from international football, ending a decade-long career with the Super Eagles in an emotional announcement posted on Thursday.
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Troost-Ekong, who anchored Nigeria’s defence at five major tournaments, wrote on Instagram that representing the nation was the greatest privilege of his professional life.
He added that although his journey on the pitch had concluded, his support for the team would remain steadfast as he looks towards the next chapter.
“Honoured. Grateful. Forever a Super Eagle. Playing for Nigeria has been the greatest privilege of my life,” Troost-Ekong said in the statement. “The journey may end here, but my support never will.”
His confirmation followed minutes after football transfer reporter Fabrizio Romano disclosed the development, noting that Troost-Ekong was stepping away after 83 caps, eight goals and a medal haul that included three podium finishes.
Troost-Ekong, who plays for Al-Kholood in the Saudi Pro League, was born in the Netherlands to a Dutch mother and Nigerian father.
After representing the Netherlands at youth level, he committed his senior future to Nigeria and made his debut on 13 June 2015 in an AFCON qualifier against Chad.
His tally of five AFCON goals remains the highest ever scored by a defender in the competition’s history and now stands as a remarkable, likely unbroken record.
The 31-year-old’s reduced role in recent months influenced his decision. He has not featured prominently under head coach Eric Chelle and was an unused substitute in Nigeria’s decisive World Cup play-off defeat to DR Congo, a loss that confirmed the country’s absence from the tournament.
He last appeared as a late substitute against Gabon on 13 November and has since dropped behind Benjamin Fredrick in Chelle’s defensive plans.
Troost-Ekong was named in Nigeria’s provisional 54-man squad for the forthcoming AFCON in Morocco.
The final 28-man list is expected soon, with the team scheduled to begin camp in Egypt on 10 December ahead of the tournament’s start on 21 December.
His retirement leaves the Super Eagles without one of their most experienced leaders as preparations intensify.
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The defender’s legacy, defined by resilience, leadership and record-breaking performances, remains firmly etched in Nigerian football history.
David Okere is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering business, governance, public affairs, and human-interest stories with a commitment to accuracy, balance, and public interest reporting.
