Super Eagles vice-captain William Troost-Ekong has announced his retirement from international football, just weeks before Nigeria begin their quest for a fourth Africa Cup of Nations title in Morocco, MySportDab Reports.
The decision comes despite the defender being named in Nigeria’s 55-man provisional squad for the tournament.
Troost-Ekong, who earned 83 caps for the three-time African champions, made his debut in June 2015 against Chad after receiving a career-defining call-up from the late Stephen Keshi.
Before switching allegiance, he represented the Netherlands at youth level, featuring for the U19, U20 and U23 sides.
In an emotional message on social media, the former Watford and Udinese defender reflected on his journey with the national team, calling it “one of the greatest honours” of his life. “Nigeria took me in and trusted me to lead and represent a nation of over 230 million people,” he wrote. “From a boy born and raised in the Netherlands to the ‘Oyibo Wall’ and eventually ‘Skippo’, it’s a privilege I will always cherish.”
Troost-Ekong enjoyed a decorated international career, featuring in five major tournaments. His honours include an Olympic bronze medal from Rio 2016, participation at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, and three AFCON campaigns, where he won bronze in 2019 and silver earlier this year in Côte d’Ivoire. He was one of Nigeria’s standout performers at AFCON 2023, scoring in the final and earning the Player of the Tournament award.
Reflecting on that achievement, he wrote: “Becoming the highest-scoring defender in AFCON history is an honour I share with every teammate.
That tournament taught me what it truly means to be Nigerian, in adversity, we come together, we fight, and we rise.”
The 30-year-old expressed gratitude to his coaches, teammates and fans, adding that the time had come to “pass on the responsibility” to the next generation. “I am at peace knowing I gave everything,” he said.
His retirement leaves newly appointed coach Eric Chelle with a critical decision to make as he prepares to name a new captain ahead of AFCON 2025. Nigeria begin their campaign in two weeks, facing Tanzania, Uganda and Tunisia in the group stage.
