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RMA
AFCON 2025
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Retired Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong said he was not forced to retire.
Former Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong has dispelled the rumours that he was forced to retire by the country’s football administrators as punishment for leading a revolt against the NFF.
The 30-year-old recently announced his retirement from the national team. The announcement came less than a month before the AFCON, and he was named in the 54-man preliminary list.
Additionally, earlier in the year, he mentioned that he intended for the 2025 AFCON to be his last tournament for Nigeria. Hence, retiring weeks before the tournament sparked speculations about the reason behind his decision.
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Ekong dismisses NFF pressure claim
One of the leading theories was that he was pressured by the federation to quit after he led a strike in protest against unpaid bonuses during the World Cup qualifying playoffs.
One fan speculated, saying, “Leon Balogun: Criticised the NFF over horrible management of Nigerian football and never got called up again.”
“Troost-Ekong: Let the world know the Super Eagles were owed for 6 years by the NFF and all of a sudden decided to retire. When you expose the NFF, things happen.”
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The Al Khoolood defender offered a sharp retort, establishing that he unilaterally made the decision to retire, and the team and administrators rallied around him after he made the call.
“Not true! My own choice/decision and on my own terms,” he said on X. No one ever asked/tried to force me out.
“If anything the opposite when I shared my decision. I wish the team all the best and support them together with all Nigerians for the upcoming AFCON to go all the way.”