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| Ekong Williams appreciates fans for their support |
Nigerian football captain and defender William Troost-Ekong has officially announced his retirement from the Super Eagles squad. The veteran center-back shared a heartfelt message to mark the end of his illustrious decade-long international career. In his statement, Ekong sincerely narrated the origin of his journey with the national team, expressing immense gratitude to Nigerian fans and team members for their steadfast love and support throughout his time wearing the iconic green and white shirt.
Captain Williams, who joined the Nigerian national team in June 2015, shared the emotional news of his retirement on his Instagram handle. According to Williams, the decisive moment came from a phone call in 2015 from the late coach Stephen Keshi that he says "changed my life." A month after the call, Keshi—the "Big Boss"—gave him his Super Eagles debut. Reflecting on the moment, Williams added, “HIS BELIEF IN ME IGNITED A DESIRE TO FOLLOW IN HIS FOOTSTEPS.”
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| Live Image of Ekong Williams in Morocco |
The defender fondly recalled the privilege of representing a nation of over 230 million people, a dream that evolved from a boy born and raised in the Netherlands to the "Oyibo Wall" and eventually "Skippo" (Captain). He highlighted his career achievements, including winning a Bronze medal at the Rio 2016 Olympics, playing at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, and securing three AFCON bronze medals, culminating in the most recent silver medal, which he described as unforgettable. He also mentioned being named the Player of the Tournament at the 2023 AFCON.
Troost-Ekong stressed that his retirement is not a final goodbye, vowing that his work within Nigerian communities will continue, driven by his love and passion for the country. He thanked every coach, staff member, and teammate, past and present. The defender ends his Super Eagles career with 83 appearances and 8 goals.