NIGERIA: Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong has celebrated a decade of representing Nigeria at the senior international level. The 30-year-old made his debut on June 13, 2015, under the late Stephen Keshi and has since become a mainstay in the national team, earning 79 caps and scoring seven goals. In a heartfelt message shared on social media, Troost-Ekong expressed gratitude to Keshi, calling him “Big Boss” and crediting him for launching his international career.
Over the past 10 years, Troost-Ekong has played in five major tournaments for Nigeria, including the 2018 FIFA World Cup and three Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). His standout performance came at AFCON 2023, where he captained Nigeria to a silver medal finish and was named Player of the Tournament—the first defender to earn the honour in over two decades. He also won bronze at both the 2016 Olympics and AFCON 2019.
As he eyes qualification for AFCON 2025 and the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Troost-Ekong reaffirmed his commitment to the national team. He described wearing the captain’s armband as his “biggest pride” and vowed to continue giving his best. With his leadership, experience, and defensive prowess, the Super Eagles will rely heavily on him in the months ahead.
