AFCON 2025: ‘Beat Morocco and lift the trophy’ - Troost-Ekong challenges Super Eagles players

William Troost-Ekong, the former Super Eagles captain, has issued a powerful, emotional rallying cry to his teammates ahead of tonight’s all-important AFCON 2025 semi-final against the host nation.

The excitement is palpable, infectious, and radiating all the way from Saudi Arabia to the Super Eagles’ camp in Morocco.

Troost-Ekong, who officially retired from international football in December 2025 after a decade of service, isn't just watching from the sidelines; he’s leading the cheers from the Al-Kholood locker room. 

His message to the squad is clear: Beating the Atlas Lions tonight isn't just about reaching the final, it’s about psychologically crowning themselves as the champions of Africa.

In a video message shared with the team and posted by the team on X in Rabat, Troost-Ekong’s voice was filled with a conviction born from watching Nigeria’s dominant, unbeaten run through the tournament.

“My brothers, the day is here. I cannot tell you how excited I am to watch you guys beat Morocco tonight,” the 2023 AFCON MVP said. “I’ve had a chance to speak to everyone here in Saudi Arabia; whether I go online, on radio, or TV, everything is about the Super Eagles. You guys are getting better and better with every game.”

The defender emphasised that while the final is still to come, the psychological weight of tonight's match makes it the "true" final.

“If you win this game against Morocco... you guys are gonna lift the trophy, I’m telling you. Just stick together and enjoy the moment. These moments only come sometimes in life.”

Troost-Ekong, who famously led Nigeria to a silver medal in AFCON2023 and remains the highest-scoring defender in AFCON history, admitted that watching this "special generation" perform has given him a new kind of energy.

“Stick together, fight for each other. At the end of the day, you want to be able to look in the mirror and say, ‘I did my absolute best.’ If you continue what you're doing now, you're going to win,” he noted.

“I’m gonna be supporting, shouting at my TV. I love you guys and I believe in you. Go and win that game. Let Morocco hear words!” he added.

For a Super Eagles side that has made winning look routine, scoring 14 goals in five matches, Troost-Ekong’s message serves as the final spark. The squad genuinely believes that their toughest opponent stands between them and the silverware right now.

Beating Morocco in front of 70,000 home fans would be the ultimate statement of intent. As Troost-Ekong put it, tonight is the "mountain to climb," and everything that follows will simply be a victory lap toward Nigeria's fourth continental title.