Nigerian professional footballer William Troost-Ekong has announced his retirement from international duty. This announcement has recently taken the sports world by storm on both the fan and analyst side. The centre-back can be proud of his 83 Super Eagles caps. He recently declared that he will be skipping the next Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). Troost-Ekong led Nigeria to the AFCON final in 2023 and captained a national team on the rise. Today, he figures it’s up to the next generation of players to meet that challenge.
Troost-Ekong, who debuted for Nigeria in 2016, captained his national side for the first time in 2021. Under his leadership, Nigeria stormed into the AFCON 2023 final. The team put up incredible performances as they progressed through the tournament, reflecting the talent and heart of the players. For his contributions, he was named Player of the Tournament, further solidifying his status as a key figure in Nigerian football.
Despite his successes, including being the highest-scoring defender in AFCON history and scoring crucial goals such as a penalty against Ghana in the 2022 Qatar World Cup qualifying playoff and an opening goal in the 2023 AFCON final, Troost-Ekong feels the time is right for him to step aside. He acknowledged that he has been reflecting on his role within the team and how he can best contribute to its future.
“It can be a lot sometimes. So, I think you just try to create a circle around the team and you treat that as a family,” Troost-Ekong shared when discussing his experiences as captain.
Troost-Ekong’s retirement comes on the heels of Nigeria’s loss to Ivory Coast in the 2023 AFCON final. Though the loss was a rough pill to swallow, his poise and example throughout the duration of the tournament earned praise and admiration from fans and teammates, as well.
“Was the media scrutiny too much? Maybe at times. When I got older, I kind of had to learn how to deal with that,” he reflected, acknowledging the pressures that come with being a prominent figure in Nigerian football.
The former Chelsea player’s decision to retire has already started discussions among fans and pundits alike about what comes next for the Super Eagles. Most see Troost-Ekong’s exit as an opportunity for some younger talents to make their mark. This further unlocks their potential to assume more meaningful roles across the team. “And I think the best way is through experiencing it. I think you have to share that. I don’t think you’ve got to take that upon yourself because it’s not just me playing in the team,” he stated.
While Troost-Ekong is completing his international career, he made his desire to continue contributing toward the team’s future known. “I’ll be there to support them as much as I can because I think if we have a chance to win the AFCON now in Morocco, I would still feel like I’ve been a part of that generation,” he remarked.
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