Former Watford defender, William Troost-Ekong, has officially retired from the Super Eagles, Soccernet.ng reports.
This brings an emotional close to a decade-long journey that saw him evolve from a debutant under the late Stephen Keshi into Super Eagles captain.
The 31-year-old defender confirmed his decision on Wednesday via an official statement on his X (formerly Twitter), to end weeks of speculation surrounding his international future—especially his likelihood of featuring at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations despite being named in Eric Chelle’s 55-man provisional squad.
William Troost-Ekong Bows Out From Super Eagles
In the lengthy retirement letter, Ekong reflected on the moment his Nigeria career began, and credited Stephen Keshi for changing his life in 2015.
“Every single time I have put on that iconic shirt to walk out onto the pitch, I have thought back to that moment,” Ekong wrote. “To have achieved 93 senior caps, played in five major tournaments, won three medals, and broken a few records — I have lived my dream.”
During his time as a Super Eagles, he won the Rio 2016 Olympics bronze medal, participated in the 2018 FIFA World Cup, three AFCON tournaments, including the 2023 AFCON silver medal, where he was named Player of the Tournament after scoring in the final.
Becoming the highest-scoring defender in AFCON history, Ekong described leading Nigeria in 2023 as especially meaningful.
“That tournament taught me what it truly means to be Nigerian; that in adversity, we come together, we hustle, we fight through the pain and we rise.”
Retirement Confirms Ex-Watford Captain Won’t Play at AFCON 2025
This announcement confirms earlier indications—reported this week—that Ekong was unlikely to participate at the 2025 AFCON in Morocco despite being listed in Nigeria’s provisional squad.
Reports had suggested he was focusing on securing his future at Al Kholood in Saudi Arabia. His retirement now puts an end to the uncertainty and opens up the captaincy debate ahead of the tournament, with Wilfred Ndidi, and Victor Osimhen recently being considered to wear the armband in his absence.
Passing the Torch to the Next Generation
Ekong stated he felt peace knowing he gave the national team everything he had, and that it was time to step aside for younger leaders rising within the Super Eagles.
“Time has come to pass on the responsibility, to pass on the opportunity and pass on the captaincy,” he said. “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 story.”
A farewell, but not a goodbye
Despite ending his playing chapter with Nigeria, Ekong stressed that his bond with the country will continue.
“This isn’t a final goodbye. My work within Nigerian communities continues, just as my love and passion for this team will never fade,” he assured.
After 93 caps, medals, records, and unforgettable moments, the Super Eagles now prepare for a future without one of their most symbolic leaders, Ekong.