Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong has officially announced his retirement from international football, a decision that sent ripples through African football and prompted a tribute from the Confederation of African Football (CAF). The 32-year-old defender, widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s most reliable leaders, declared his departure via a message on X (formerly Twitter), despite being included in Eric Chelle's 54-man provisional list for the upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Ekong’s announcement concluded a remarkable 10-year journey with the national team, during which he earned 83 caps. In his emotional farewell post, accompanied by a video, he wrote, “HONOURED. GRATEFUL. FOREVER A SUPER EAGLE. Playing for Nigeria has been the greatest privilege of my life. The journey may end here, but my support never will. Here’s to the next chapter.” This heartfelt message pledged his enduring loyalty to Nigeria beyond his playing days. Shortly after, CAF honored him with a celebratory message on X, stating, “Legends remain, in their time and long after it. William Troost-Ekong. It’s been a pleasure, captain.”

The decision to step away, just weeks before AFCON 2025, was attributed to a confluence of factors that had been building over time. A pivotal moment was Nigeria's painful World Cup play-off defeat to DR Congo, a match Ekong watched from the sidelines, preventing him from participating in the penalty shootout as planned. This heartbreak sealed what had been a growing consideration, despite his initial desire to feature at the 2026 World Cup. He had previously considered retiring after the 2023 AFCON final due to disagreements with then-coach Jose Peseiro, but the World Cup dream kept him going.

Ekong explained that years of constant travel, extended periods away from his wife and children in England, and the immense emotional weight of national duty played a significant role. He candidly described his decision as needing to be “a little bit selfish” to prioritize his personal life. Furthermore, his role within the squad had shifted in recent months, with the emergence of 20-year-old Benjamin Fredrick pushing him out of the starting XI and reducing the captain to a bench role under new coach Eric Chelle. While he admitted that the perfect ending would have been an AFCON triumph and another World Cup appearance, he expressed contentment with his three tournament participations and recognized that the team was naturally evolving.

Throughout his illustrious career, Ekong achieved significant milestones. He debuted for Nigeria in 2015 under his childhood hero, the late Stephen Keshi. He led the Super Eagles to the 2023 AFCON final, where he was named the Most Valuable Player of the tournament, securing a silver medal. He also won a bronze medal in the 2019 AFCON. Born in the Netherlands and raised in England, he fully embraced his Nigerian heritage, consistently stating that representing the country was the greatest honor of his career. His final days with the squad were emotional, marked by “mixed emotions and tears” as he bid farewell to teammates he considered family, reminding them that their bond transcends active play.

With Ekong's departure, attention now shifts to new leadership for the Super Eagles. Former Super Eagles coach Sunday Oliseh has endorsed Wilfred Ndidi as Ekong’s natural successor, noting that the Besiktas midfielder has already captained the team in recent games and commands full respect within the squad. As Nigeria prepares for AFCON 2025, the team faces the challenge of filling the void left by a captain whose personality, commitment, and consistency profoundly shaped its identity, ushering in a new era for Nigerian football.