Nigeria’s long-serving defender and team captain, William Troost-Ekong, has brought his international career to an end after a decade with the Super Eagles. The 31-year-old confirmed his decision in an emotional message on Instagram on Thursday, describing his time with the national team as the greatest honour of his life.
“Honoured. Grateful. Forever a Super Eagle. Playing for Nigeria has been the greatest privilege of my life,” he wrote. “The journey may end here, but my support never will. Here’s to the next chapter.”
His announcement came shortly after transfer expert Fabrizio Romano revealed the development on social media, noting that Troost-Ekong had decided to call time on his international duties after earning 83 caps, winning three medals, and appearing in five major tournaments.
Born in the Netherlands to a Dutch mother and Nigerian father, Troost-Ekong represented the Netherlands at the youth level before switching allegiance to Nigeria. He made his senior debut on June 13, 2015, in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Chad.
The defender leaves behind an enduring mark on African football. His five career goals at the AFCON remain the highest by any defender in the history of the competition—a record that will remain unchallenged following his retirement.
Troost-Ekong scored eight goals in total for Nigeria, with his last appearance coming as a late substitute against Gabon on November 13. His involvement in recent months had reduced under head coach Eric Chelle, who preferred Benjamin Fredrick in central defence. Troost-Ekong was also an unused substitute in Nigeria’s decisive World Cup play-off defeat to DR Congo, a loss that sealed the country’s absence from the tournament.
Despite being named in the Super Eagles’ provisional 54-man squad for the upcoming AFCON in Morocco, his retirement means he will not be part of the final 28-man list. The Nigerian squad is expected to open camp in Egypt on December 10, ahead of the tournament’s kickoff on December 21.
