Troost-Ekong hangs up Nigeria boots

by Staff Reporter

Friday Dec 05, 2025. 10:00

William Troost-Ekong will not be representing Nigeria at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after announcing his retirement from international football on Thursday.

The 31-year-old centre-back was included Eric Chelle’s preliminary squad for the continental showpiece in Morocco this month, but has now decided to give the next generation a chance to make their mark on the national team.

Troost-Ekong racked up 83 appearances for the Super Eagles since making his debut under Stephen Keshi against Chad in a 2017 AFCON qualifier on 13 June 2015.

The Netherlands-born defender played his final game for Chelle’s side in the 4-1 victory over Gabon last month and was on the bench for the defeat to DR Congo on penalties which ended their 2026 World Cup qualifying hopes.

Troost-Ekong featured at the 2018 World Cup and the last three editions of AFCON, winning a bronze medal in 2019 and a silver medal in 2023 when he was named Player of the Tournament.

“In 2025 a phone call from the late Stephen Keshi changed my life. A month later the big boss gave me my debut. His belief in me ignited a desire to follow in his footsteps,” Troost-Ekong said in a statement on X.

“Every single time I have put on that iconic shirt to walk out onto the pitch, I have thought back to that moment. Going on to captain the Super Eagles was beyond my wildest dreams.

“Nigeria took me in and trusted me to lead and represent a nation of 230+ million. From a boy born and raised in the Netherlands to the Oyibo Wall and eventually skippo is a privilege I will always hold close to my heart.

“To have achieved 83 senior caps, played in five major tournaments, won three medals and broken a few records – I have lived my dream.

“I am at peace knowing that throughout all these milestones I gave everything I had. Not just for myself but to try to inspire the next generation the same way I was inspired by the legends I looked up to, and had the pleasure to fight shoulder to shoulder with.

“It has been fun to play alongside my Nigerian team-mates, building something great together, watching them grow into leaders. Time has come to pass on that responsibility, to pass on the opportunity and pass on the captaincy.

“As a custodian of an iconic shirt, I’ve always known it was only borrowed. Now it’s the turn of the next generation to continue to write their own history.”