Ex-Captain, Troost-Ekong Speaks On Being Forced Out Of Super Eagles

Ex-Captain, Troost-Ekong Speaks On Being Forced Out Of Super Eagles

Former Super Eagles captain, William Troost-Ekong, has dismissed suggestions that his retirement from international football was engineered behind the scenes, saying his exit was guided purely by personal choice.

The Genius Media Nigeria reports that, Troost-Ekong, 32, confirmed his decision on Thursday, bringing an end to a decade in green and white after earning 83 caps and leading Nigeria through several major tournaments. Within hours, social media claims surfaced accusing the Nigeria Football Federation of pushing him out following reported tensions.

Troost-Ekong moved quickly to counter the rumours on Friday, responding directly to posts on 𝕏 that implied he had been punished for criticising the federation or frozen out by internal politics.

He wrote: “Not true! My own choice/decision and on my own terms. No one ever asked/tried to force me out. If anything, the opposite when I shared my decision. I wish the team all the best and support them together with all Nigerians for the upcoming AFCON to go all the way.”

In a reply to another post, he repeated that nothing had influenced his exit except his own judgement: “This just isn’t true, my friend! I retired on my own terms and for my own reasons. None of the above-mentioned. Wish you all the best. My full support to Coach Chelle and the team for the upcoming AFCON.”

The timing of his announcement, just days after he was named in Nigeria’s provisional 54-man squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, fed speculation that he had been denied what many considered a fitting final appearance.

Recall that Troost-Ekong made his debut under the late Stephen Keshi after switching allegiance from the Netherlands to Nigeria in 2015. He went on to become a prominent figure in the team’s defensive structure for nearly ten years.

“Today, I’m announcing my retirement from international football,” he said in his retirement message, reflecting on a journey that saw him lead Nigeria at World Cup qualifiers, friendlies, and three AFCON tournaments.

“Going on to captain the Super Eagles was beyond my wildest dreams. Nigeria took me in and trusted me to lead and represent a nation of 230-plus million.”

He represented Nigeria at the 2016 Olympics, the 2018 FIFA World Cup and three consecutive AFCONs, winning bronze in 2019 and silver in 2023. His three goals at AFCON leave him as the highest-scoring defender in the competition’s history.