Retiring Super Eagles captain, William Troost-Ekong, has reflected on his accomplishments with the Nigerian national team following his sudden exit from international football.
The 30-year-old defender shocked many fans on Thursday when he announced his retirement—just two weeks before the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. His name had already been included in coach Eric Chelle’s 52-man provisional squad for the tournament.
Troost-Ekong, who made his Super Eagles debut in 2015 under the late Stephen Keshi, said he never imagined he would one day captain Nigeria.
Expressing gratitude for his decade-long national team career, he said:
“To have achieved 83 senior caps, played in five major tournaments, three medals, and broken a few records, I really lived my dreams.”
He recalled some of his most memorable moments, including:
- Winning bronze at the Rio 2016 Olympics
- Featuring at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia
- Competing in three AFCON tournaments, earning bronze and most recently a silver medal
Troost-Ekong described these achievements as “unforgettable,” thanking Nigerians for their support throughout his international journey.
