Nigeria bombshell as captain William Troost-Ekong retires from internationals before AFCON | OneFootball

Super Eagles lose influential figure ahead of Africa Cup of Nations this month

Nigeria captain William Troost-Ekong has announced his retirement from international football ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Troost-Ekong made his debut for the Super Eagles in 2015 and has gone on to make 83 appearances.

Troost-Ekong helped Nigeria to win a bronze medal at the Rio 2016 Olympics and has described his time with the national team as “unforgettable”.

The 32-year-old was most recently part of the Nigeria squad that suffered agony last month after they were beaten by DR Congo on penalties in a play-off for next year’s World Cup.

Troost-Ekong’s announcement comes just weeks before the latest edition of AFCON, which begins in Morocco on December 21. Nigeria’s first game is against Tanzania on December 23.

In a statement, Troost-Ekong said: “Today, I’m announcing my retirement from international football.

“In 2015, a phone call from the late Stephen Keshi changed my life. A month later, the Big Boss gave me my debut. His belief in me ignited a desire to follow in his footsteps.

“Every single time I’ve put on the iconic shirt to walk out onto the pitch, I’ve thought back to that exact moment.

“Going on to captain the Super Eagles was beyond my wildest dreams. Nigeria took me in and trusted me to lead and represent a nation of 230 plus million.

“From a boy born and raised in the Netherlands, to the Oyibo Wall and eventually Skippo, is a privilege I will always hold close to my heart.

“To have achieved 83 senior caps, played in 5 major tournaments, won 3 medals, and broken a few records, I’ve really lived my dream.

“A bronze medal at the Rio 2016 Olympics, followed by playing at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, and 3 incredible AFCON tournaments, with a bronze and most recently a silver medal, will remain unforgettable.

“Being able to lead Nigeria through the 2023 AFCON, scoring in the final, and being named Player of the Tournament, was something so special.

“To this day, I still wish for a different ending. Becoming the highest-scoring defender in AFCON history is an honour I share with every teammate who was part of those moments.

“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.

“I’m at peace knowing that throughout all these milestones, I gave everything I had. Not just for myself, but to try and inspire the next generation, the same way I was inspired by the legends I looked up to, and had the pleasure to fight shoulder to shoulder with.

“It has been so much fun to play alongside my Nigerian teammates, building something great together. Watching them grow into leaders, time has come to pass on the responsibility, to pass on the opportunity, and to pass on the captaincy.

“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.

“Born in the diaspora, I’m so proud to be part of a group that fully showed it’s possible to come home to play and represent our beloved nation.

“None of this would have been possible without the people around me. To every coach, member of staff, and most importantly, my teammates and our brothers, past and present, who have been part of my international journey - thank you.

“To the Nigerian fans, the heartbeat of Nigerian football, your support has carried me through every high and every challenge. I will stand with you as you stood with me.

“This isn’t a final goodbye. My work within Nigerian communities continues through The Troost-Ekong Foundation and I will continue my work to build better futures for Nigerian’s, and my support, love and passion for the team will never fade.

“The last decade has been filled with commitment, pride, and unforgettable memories. Wearing the Super Eagles shirt has been more than playing football. It has been a duty, a privilege, and an honour.”