Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong has officially retired from international football, drawing the curtain on a remarkable ten-year career with Nigeria’s senior national team. The 32-year-old defender confirmed his exit shortly after the Super Eagles crashed out of the 2026 FIFA World Cup playoff against DR Congo, a match that now stands as his final appearance in the green-and-white jersey.
Troost-Ekong made his debut for Nigeria on 13 June 2015 in an AFCON qualifier against Chad, and went on to cement his place as one of the most dependable defenders of his generation.
Stellar Career and Achievements
Across his decade of service, the Al-Kholood man amassed over 83 caps for Nigeria, featuring at multiple major tournaments including the 2018 FIFA World Cup and three Africa Cup of Nations campaigns.
Troost-Ekong also recorded an incredible attacking return for a centre-back scoring five goals in AFCON tournaments, making him one of the highest-scoring defenders in AFCON history.
His most iconic tournament came at AFCON 2023 in Côte d’Ivoire, where he captained Nigeria to the final and won the competition’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) award.
Alongside Leon Balogun, he formed the famous “Oyibo Wall”, a defensive partnership that brought stability and fearlessness to the Eagles’ backline for years.
During his distinguished international career, Troost-Ekong also added important honours to his cabinet, beginning with a bronze medal at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, where he played a vital role in Nigeria’s run to the podium.
He followed that up with another bronze medal at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, before leading the Super Eagles to a silver medal finish at AFCON 2023 in Côte d’Ivoire, a tournament in which he stood out as captain and was later crowned the Most Valuable Player.
End of an Era
Troost-Ekong leaves behind a legacy of leadership, courage, and unwavering commitment to national duty. His departure creates a major leadership gap in the team with reports indicating midfield enforcer Wilfred Ndidi could be handed the captain’s armband moving forward.
As Nigeria heads into AFCON 2025 searching for continental glory, one thing is clear, the Super Eagles will greatly miss the commanding voice and warrior spirit of William Troost-Ekong, a true leader who gave everything for the badge.
