‘I’m content with the tournaments I played in’ — Ekong reveals real reason for Super Eagles retirement

Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong has lifted the lid on why he chose to walk away from international football just weeks before AFCON 2025.

The 32-year-old defender shocked his teammates in the dressing room after Nigeria’s painful World Cup play-off defeat to DR Congo, revealing he was calling time on a decade-long national team career.

Nigeria’s players were still trying to absorb the disappointment of missing a second consecutive World Cup when Troost-Ekong informed them of his decision.

According to him, the heartbreak sealed what had been building for some time. He had already considered retiring after the 2023 AFCON final defeat to the Ivory Coast due to disagreements with then-coach Jose Peseiro, but his desire to feature at the 2026 World Cup kept him going.

That dream ended in Rabat. “It has been 10 and a half years of so many great moments,” he said. “I’ve poured my heart into it but it felt like the right time to step away. We have enough young players, great talents and other leaders in the team.”

He explained that years of constant travel, time spent away from his wife and children in England, and the emotional weight of national duty played a key role. “I have given so much to Nigeria, and received so much more, but it reaches a point where you have to be a little bit selfish.”

Although he admitted the perfect ending would have been an AFCON triumph and one more World Cup appearance, he added, “I’m content with the three tournaments I played in.”

His reduced role under new coach Eric Chelle, including being benched for the decisive play-off against DR Congo, also contributed to the feeling that the team was naturally evolving beyond him. Several teammates urged him to reconsider, but Ekong insisted “you have to understand when is the right moment to go.”

Troost-Ekong made his Nigeria debut in 2015 under the late Stephen Keshi, the man he described as a childhood hero.

From those early days to captaining the Super Eagles, he accumulated 83 caps, led the team to an AFCON final, and won Player of the Tournament at the 2013 edition. Born in the Netherlands and raised in England, he embraced Nigeria fully, saying representing the country remained the greatest honour of his career.

His final days with the squad were emotional. “There were some mixed emotions and tears,” he admitted, explaining how difficult it was to say goodbye to teammates he views as family.

He reminded them that even in retirement, he remains part of the brotherhood: “Whether you’re playing or not, once you have represented Nigeria, you are always going to be a part of something.”

With AFCON 2025 around the corner, Nigeria now face the challenge of finding a new leader. Wilfred Ndidi has already worn the armband in recent qualifiers and is backed by many to take over.