William Troost-Ekong’s retirement has rocked the Super Eagles camp. The long-serving centre-back called time on his international career on 4 December, citing his desire to step aside for the younger generation and fully focus on his club future.
His exit leaves a gap, not just in the backline, but in leadership and experience, especially with AFCON 2025 fast approaching. Now, attention is turning to who will lead the Super Eagles into Morocco.
In this piece, Footynaija.com brings you the top three candidates to take over the Super Eagles armband, a list drawn from trusted senior players already commanding respect in the squad, as confirmed by Vanguard News.
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3: Alex Iwobi
The Fulham midfielder has been a key part of the Super Eagles setup since 2015, giving him strong credibility within the group. Following Troost-Ekong’s retirement, Iwobi showed his emotions and openly signalled his readiness to take on more responsibility as one of the team’s senior figures.
The 29-year-old is respected for his ability to unite players across age groups. Having played under several coaches, he has handled key moments with maturity and is often relied on to bring clarity during major tournaments.
2: Victor Osimhen
The Galatasaray striker is, in many ways, the emotional engine of the Super Eagles. At just 26, he’s already one of the team’s most vocal leaders, and his response to Troost-Ekong’s retirement, praising the former captain’s leadership and professionalism, showed how much he values the role.
He leads by example, often setting the standard with his effort and mentality when matches become demanding. As top European clubs like Barcelona and Real Madrid continue to show interest, his rising profile only strengthens his standing in the squad. His energy and presence make him a natural motivator, someone teammates rally around.
1: Wilfred Ndidi
The midfielder is viewed by many as the leading candidate to take over the captaincy. Former Super Eagles coach Sunday Oliseh is among those who have openly supported him as the natural choice for the role.
Currently vice captain at Beşiktaş, the 28-year-old leads with composure, and his presence gives the team a sense of direction and stability. His steady performances, composure under pressure, and leadership in recent matches have strengthened his case.
He has already captained the team at times, showing he’s prepared for the role. Away from the pitch, he avoids distractions and earns the trust of both teammates and coaches.
The Super Eagles will feel the absence of Troost-Ekong’s leadership, but the current shortlist shows the team still has trusted figures ready to step up.
