Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong is strongly considering bringing his international career to an end after the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, (2025 AFCON) sportsresonance.com has gathered.
The veteran centre-back who has been one of Nigeria’s most influential leaders for nearly a decade, is weighing the decision amid reduced playing time and the emotional strain of recent national team setbacks.
Most notably the painful penalty shootout defeat to DR Congo in Morocco, which ended Nigeria’s hopes of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Troost-Ekong’s frustrations are not limited to on-field disappointments. He was one of the most vocal figures during the team’s bonus dispute in Morocco, pushing for the resolution of long-standing financial issues.
The standoff escalated to the point where the players boycotted a training session, and talks of skipping the semi-final playoff against Gabon became real before the matter was eventually resolved.
Nigeria later fell to DR Congo in the final playoff, sealing a bitter end to their World Cup campaign.
Sources within the camp confirmed that after the CAF Playoff, Troost-Ekong privately informed some teammates that the 2025 AFCON could be his final appearance in the national colours.
Otherwise, he reportedly hinted that he would still support the team from the stands as a fan.
Signs of a possible exit first emerged earlier this year when Troost-Ekong revealed on The FozCast podcast that he was nearing the end of his journey with the Super Eagles.
“I think the next AFCON is probably going to be my last,” he said, noting that he hopes to document the tournament for personal memories.
“I want to have the memories to show my kids when they grow up.”
He explained that captaincy duties during the last AFCON limited how much content he could record, but he plans to return with his GoPro for the 2025 edition.
Troost-Ekong’s last competitive start came in the 2–1 win over Lesotho in Polokwane, in October, a game in which he also found the net.
Since then, he has slipped down the pecking order, featuring mostly from the bench.
Should Troost-Ekong retire from the Super Eagles after AFCON 2025, he will exit as one of the most best defenders of his generation, leaving a legacy marked by consistency, leadership, and impact in major tournaments.
Career Highlights:
2015: Made senior debut for Nigeria
2016: Olympic bronze medalist (Rio 2016)
2018: Featured prominently at the FIFA World Cup in Russia
2019: Helped Nigeria secure AFCON bronze
2021: Named in the AFCON Group Stage Best XI
2023: Captained Nigeria to the AFCON final; won Player of the Tournament
Troost-Ekong’s potential departure would mark the end of a remarkable era.
It is going to be the end of an era defined by commitment, resilience, and an unwavering passion for the green and white.
