Former Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong has broken his silence on the shocking decision to hang up his international boots, just weeks before Nigeria head to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, Footynaija.com reports.
Troost-Ekong, who retires with 83 caps, reportedly made the decision to call time on his Super Eagles journey before last month’s decisive play-off against DR Congo, a game that ended in heartbreak and confirmed Nigeria’s absence from the next World Cup.
Reflecting on the final minutes of that penalty shootout loss to DR Congo, Troost-Ekong admitted the weight of the moment hit him instantly.
“You always want things to end perfectly,” he told The Standard. “It’s hard when you are watching the last minutes of the game. It felt like a blur. I remember sitting there and absorbing those last minutes, because you know that could be it.
“To have that in a penalty shootout, my heart was pounding like crazy. It was heartbreaking, but at the same time I felt really proud in that moment of everything we had achieved. To be there, as captain, was something I could not have dreamt of as a young kid.”
Having battled fitness issues in recent years, including a major hamstring surgery last season, Troost-Ekong believes the time is right for a new generation to step up to the plate. He went on to explain why stepping aside felt like the best thing for both him and the squad.
“Now is the moment for them to claim that [responsibility for the team],” he said. “The team is ready because we’ve got great leaders.
“I think there is a natural progression and there is an art in knowing when to step away. Selfishly, I would have loved to lift the Africa Cup of Nations and play at one more World Cup.
“But the thing that has given me the most joy now is I get messages from young boys saying they want to play for the Super Eagles.
“They say they look up to me. Those are things you don’t start playing football for, but once they happen, they give you a real sense of pride.”
Troost-Ekong leaves behind a legacy defined by passion, consistency and leadership. His retirement may have come as a shock but his belief in Nigeria’s next crop of stars adds a layer of optimism as the Super Eagles prepare for AFCON 2025.
