5.12.2025
The Nigeria Football Federation Friday sent their warmest regards to Super Eagles captain William Troost Ekong who quit international football on Thursday after a happy 10-year stint with the national team.
“Captain Troost-Ekong was a dedicated, selfless and humble leader of the Super Eagles for so many years, having started his international journey in the year 2015. He served with gusto, zeal and patriotic fervour, and he bestrode the pitch with passion, pride, purpose and commendable sense of duty,” the NFF said in a statement.
“Troost-Ekong’s service delivery over the Africa Cup of Nations finals in 2019, 2021 and 2023 is a marker for younger footballers to seek to emulate. His silver and bronze medals from the continental championship are mere drops in a fabulous journey that saw him play in the biggest stage of them all – the FIFA World Cup finals – and score telling goals for Nigeria at international level.
“In the same vein, his 83 caps for motherland across five competitions means he is leaving the stage a fulfilled man and can reflect on his decade-long stewardship with so much pride and sense of accomplishment.
“Aside from his three crucial goals for the Super Eagles as they reached the Final of the last edition of the AFCON in Cote d’Ivoire, Troost-Ekong was, deservedly so, named the Man of the Competition (otherwise known as Most Valuable Player of the Tournament).
“As he retires from the international game, the Nigeria Football Federation wishes William Troost-Ekong the very best in his future endeavours, and will do whatever we can, within our capacity, to help him accomplish his future goals and objectives within the round-leather game.”
Meanwhile midfielder Alex Iwobi said Troost-Ekong would be missed in the team.
“It’s obviously a sad one for us because he’s a big part of our team,” Iwobi told Sporty TV.
“At the end of the day I wish him well, he’s a brother, he has helped out Nigeria, he has helped me out. I hope that the next chapter he has in his life, it goes well for him, and we’ll all support him.”
Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle and captain Troosts-Ekong. 