Super Eagles Captain Troost-Ekong Announces Retirement Three Weeks to AFCON

• Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong has announced his retirement from international football, just three weeks before Nigeria kicks off the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong has announced his retirement from international football, only three weeks to the 2025 Nations Cup in Morocco.

Ekong made the announcement in a post on Instagram on Thursday, ending a remarkable 10-year journey with the national team.

In his farewell message, he wrote:
“Honoured. Grateful. Forever a Super Eagle. 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 earned 83 caps after making his debut under the late Stephen Keshi in a 2-0 win over Chad in 2015.
Since then, he has been a key member of the squad, representing Nigeria at:

• Three Nations Cup tournaments
• The 2018 FIFA World Cup
• The 2016 Olympics in Brazil, where he won bronze with the Dream Team

He scored eight goals for Nigeria and was named Most Valuable Player at the 2023 AFCON in Ivory Coast.

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With his exit, Wilfred Ndidi is expected to wear the captain’s armband at the tournament in Morocco.

Nigeria will open their Nations Cup campaign on December 23rd against Tanzania.

Ekong’s retirement marks the end of an era for the Super Eagles — and the beginning of a new chapter for one of Nigeria’s most respected defenders.