Oyinbo Wall: Leon Balogun sends emotional message to Ekong after retirement announcement

Super Eagles defender Leon Balogun has paid a heartfelt tribute to his long-time national teammate William Troost-Ekong, following the centre-back’s announcement of his retirement from international football.

Troost-Ekong, who captained Nigeria at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations and earned widespread praise for his leadership and consistency, revealed on Wednesday that he was drawing the curtain on his illustrious Super Eagles career.

Reacting to the news, Balogun-Ekong’s defensive partner in the famous “Oyinbo Wall” partnership, penned an emotional message celebrating his colleague’s remarkable journey.

"Congrats on your legacy, my brother – super proud of the inspiration, the man and the player you have become! It's been EPIC," Balogun said.

The duo formed one of the most solid and admired defensive pairings in modern Super Eagles history, anchoring Nigeria’s backline through multiple AFCON tournaments, World Cup qualifiers, and major international fixtures.

The 32-year-old defender surprised Nigerians as he announced his retirement just a few days before AFCON.

“It has been 10 and a half years of so many great moments,” he said.

He added, “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.

He continued, “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.”

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.”