William Troost-Ekong has announced his retirement from international football after 10 years and 83 caps.
Troost-Ekong made the announcement in a post on his X handle on Thursday.
“HONOURED. GRATEFUL. FOREVER A SUPER EAGLE,” Troost-Ekong wrote.
“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.”
After representing the Netherlands at under-19 and under-20 youth levels, Troost-Ekong eventually chose to represent Nigeria. He made his senior international debut for the Super Eagles on 13 June 2015, playing 90 minutes in an AFCON qualifying match against Chad.
He made three starts for the senior team in 2016 before being selected for Nigeria’s under-23 team in their 35-man provisional squad for the Rio 2016 Summer Olympics where he helped them win bronze. In June 2018 he was named in Nigeria’s 23-man squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
Troost-Ekong was named in the 23-man squad for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, where he scored an 89th-minute winner against South Africa to send his team through to the semi-finals on the way to a third-place finish.
He captained the Super Eagles in the delayed 2021 Africa Cup of Nations,and was named in the tournament Technical Study Group’s Best XI of the Group Stage,scoring against Guinea-Bissau. Nigeria went on to be knocked out by Tunisia in the following round.
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During the 2022 World Cup qualification third round, he scored a penalty in the second leg match against Ghana, which ended in a 1–1 draw and a defeat on the away goals rule; hence, his nation failed to reach the main tournament in Qatar.
On 29 December 2023, Troost-Ekong was named in the 25-man squad for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast. He converted a penalty in a 1–0 win in the second group stage match against Ivory Coast.
In the semi-final match against South Africa, he scored another penalty to grant his team the lead in a 1–1 draw, before scoring during the shootouts which ended in a 4–2 win.
He later scored the first goal in the final match against Ivory Coast which ended in a 2–1 defeat.[26] Nonetheless, he managed to win the Player of the Tournament award.
His tally of five goals at the AFCON is the current record for the highest number of goals scored by a defender in the history of AFCON.
By James Agberebi
13 Comments
Thank you very much Troost!You served your country honourably and you forever be in our hearts!
Good-Luck for the future skippo!
Is it not better this way, one world cup apperance with no trohpy to show for your years in se, couple with many own goals.
Ipada wa bi oyin, oda bo.
1 Olympic Bronze Medal, qualified for a World Cup we had no business qualifying for, 1 AFCON Bronze Medal, 1 AFCON Silver Medal, 1 AFCON MVP award.
What did your own father ever win for Nigeria.
Okponu Alaimore eda…!!!
Ndidi and Iwobi to follow suite, i dont care how anyone here wants to defend those two players
What is Ahmed musa waiting for?….
I think its Ammed musa that is suppose to retire and not Ekong who still has 2 or more years to play before retiring. I think the way Eric chelle handle the play off against Dr congo where he couldn’t introduce good penalty takers must hv contributed to Ekong’s decision.
When your game time starts to reduce , it is time to hang the boots. Musa is still the captain of the team ooooo…LOL. Wahala no too much!
End of an era. You have served Nigeria well, from “Oyibo wall,” with Leon Balogun to captaining the SE, scoring lots of goals for Nigeria even as a defender.
You took your bow at the right time, even though I thought you will guide the team through the 2025 Afcon before taking the bow. Goodluck to one of Nigeria’s football legends in your future career. Nigerians appreciate all you did for Nigeria football.
You were a great leader, chief. A little error occasionally, but overall, you were a solid 8/10, and deservedly won Afcon MVP at the last edition. Deeply passionate, intelligent, and articulate too.
But OMG, so is it Ndidi that will captain the team at the Afcon in December? Oh no, this is not good. Not good at all. Ndidi cannot wear that shoe. Top big for him please.
He is perhaps the only SE player, (besides the goalkeeper) who has never ever scored. That says a lot, compared to Ekong who, even as a defender, scored 5 goals at the last Afcon. It’s a major statement about their work ethics and the leadership gap between them.
The guy only have flashes of brilliance but mostly minus-1 defensively. Only good at breaking up attack in the midfield. But when the opponents are younger, they toy him around like was done in South Africa.
Against Zimbabwe, he was given a simple tap-in opportunity to make it 2-0, but he ballooned it over the bar with goalkeeper already at sea o. Then just moments later, he practically escorted their player on his way to an equalizer, just jogging lazily behind him.
He plays parlor and palace football, prone to too many defensive errors and gives up defending easily rather than hurt himself, just like he did against DRC.
You’ll never hear of Ndidi getting injured while playing for SE, like happens to Aina or Osimhen. Instead he’ll leave the opponent to score, rather than fight for the ball or get himself injured.
Of all our midfielders, who hasn’t scored? Is it Onyeka? 2 already. Dele Bashiru? 2 also. Even Onyedika (who Ndidi keep taking his place) already score despite limited playing tome? Or Is it Iwobi? The lead scorer, most incisive passer of the ball, and most high profile in that middle. Ndidi? 0 goals on over 10 years.
So, no, he cannot lead us to Afcon. Sorry to his sentimental village people on this forum who never see his flaws. Let’s call a spade a spade and not support a player simply cos we come from the same village as him
Chelle better ask the players to select a captain and vice. I prefer Simon captain, Iwobi vice, and Osimhen next. Ndidi should not even be starting again and should consider retiring soon. I’ll prefer hi.m retiring rather than Ekong.
I understand you’re still hurting from Ndidi’s error against Drc.Congo.Aren’t we all?Simple ball clear out he was supposed do as a top professional instead he laid it in a plate for the on rushing Congolese striker to make hay!Before then he went in the way of Chukwueze to prevent a second goal which may have sealed our qualification.
Aside these,Ndidi is a very experienced and committed professional. Most times he has been unplayable for the super eagles. His choice of starting is merited in all honesty!But we can do better the coach has to make a bold decision.But anyone coming in must be a Benjamin Frederick,you must add value to the team,not just getting included for the sake of getting rid of some older players!
The captain retires.
Your dignified behavior, commitment and work ethic is an example for the younger generation.
The future beckons.
Best wishes!
God bless you, William Troost-Ekong!
Your passion, dedication and love for the game, and Nigeria is unparalleled. A true leader you are, and one with integrity and true sense of responsibility. You have taken your bow at the right time, not waiting to be pushed out, even though you really still had some contribution for the Super Eagles left in you. It is such a regret that your passion, dedication and sacrifice was not rewarded with at least an AFCON Trophy or even a second World Cup appearance. The consolation of the 2023 AFCON MVP was well deserved, and will hopefully give you a sense of fulfillment after a decade of selfless service to the nation.
I know Nigerian football has not seen the last of you. One with your passion and love for the nation, will always find a way to contribute in the nearest future.
I wish you the very best in your future endeavors! You’re blessed!
The writing was always on the wall.
Unless Chelle plays 3 at the back, which he has thus far resisted to do, Ekong had no place in the starting 11.
I love the Super Eagles, I don’t know what I would do with myself without the team. Hence I respect all players who need the call to represent thier fatherland, whether they are my favourites or not.
Ekong is a leader and a most likable player to have around. Honestly, I would have preferred he stayed around the team for 2 more years as an influence in the dressing room and from the beach as we slowly ease in the future generation of centre backs who can all learn a thing or two from him about how to conduct oneself.
But therein lies the Problem!
I don’t think Ekong was comfortable as a bit part player. Perhaps losing his place to a rookie like Fredrick might have been too bitter a pill to swallow.
Honestly I won’t miss those mishaps! Chai they were just too many, each more painful than the other. Is it that own goal against Algeria in the 2019 Afcon semii final or that goal we conceded against Central Africa Republic at home? Don’t even get me started about his part in some of the points we dropped in this world cup qualifiers.
But I will miss Ekong’s leadership, his delightful long balls from defence, the beautiful goals he scores from set pieces, the assurance in converting penalties and his all round pleasant persona.
Ekong will be missed.
What he was good at, he was excellent at! And I fear we will never find a more affable centre back like Ekong again.
I pray he enjoys his retirement!
Thanks to Troost-Ekong — it was a brave decision made at the right time.
Yes, the Super Eagles need fresh legs and players who have real hunger to win and fight for the shirt. Let’s remember how Stephen Keshi built his teams: he introduced new talent, enforced discipline, and made it clear that any player who didn’t give 100% on the pitch was immediately replaced and wouldn’t start the next match.