Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong has announced his retirement from international football, drawing the curtain on a distinguished ten-year career with Nigeria’s senior national team.
The Italy-based defender confirmed his decision in an emotional statement posted on his Instagram page on Thursday, recounting his journey from his debut under the late Stephen Keshi in 2015 to becoming one of Nigeria’s most influential leaders on and off the pitch.
“In 2015, a phone call from the late Stephen Keshi changed my life,” he wrote. “Going on to captain the Super Eagles was beyond my wildest dreams. Nigeria took me in and trusted me to lead a nation of 230+ million.”
Troost-Ekong, 32, fondly known as Oyibo Wall by fans, leaves with 83 caps, participation in five major tournaments, and three medals — including bronze at the Rio 2016 Olympics, bronze at AFCON 2019, and silver at AFCON 2023.
His standout performance at the last AFCON earned him the Player of the Tournament award, while his goal in the final cemented his status as the highest-scoring defender in AFCON history.
Reflecting on that tournament, he said it revealed the resilience and unity of Nigerians: “That tournament taught me what it truly means to be Nigerian: in adversity, we come together, we hustle, we fight through the pain and we rise.”
Ekong said he is stepping aside to allow the next generation of players to take up leadership roles in the team. “I’ve always known the iconic shirt was only borrowed. Now it’s time for the next generation to write their own story.”
The defender expressed deep gratitude to coaches, staff, teammates, and fans who supported him throughout his international journey. “To the Nigerian fans – the heartbeat of Nigerian football – your support has carried me through every high and every challenge,” he said.
He added that despite retiring from the Super Eagles, he will continue his work with Nigerian communities and remain committed to supporting the national team from the sidelines.
For Troost-Ekong, representing Nigeria was “a duty, a privilege, and an honour” — a sentiment that captures the legacy he leaves behind with the Super Eagles.
Leave a Reply