Ekong Expresses Longing for Super Eagles

Months after hanging up his international boots, former Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong confesses that the nostalgia for his life with the Nigerian national team still lingers, a sentiment he shared during a roundtable discussion on the Bassey Talks podcast.

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Troost-Ekong's remarkable decade-long career with Nigeria came to a close in December 2025, marked by numerous milestones, including winning AFCON and Olympic medals, and earning the distinction of being one of his generation's most influential defenders.

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Now 32, the retired defender reflected on his post-retirement life, joining current Super Eagles stars Ola Aina, Alex Iwobi, Joe Aribo, and Calvin Bassey on the Bassey Talks podcast, where he revealed that watching the team from afar has been a bittersweet experience.

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Despite insisting that he has no regrets over his decision to retire, Troost-Ekong admitted that the sense of longing for his former life persists, particularly when it comes to the camaraderie he shared with his teammates, which he described as "family".

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In a heartfelt expression of nostalgia, Troost-Ekong reminisced about his time on the pitch, from the thrill of his first match to the countless moments that defined his career, confessing that these memories continue to evoke strong emotions.

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He emphasized, however, that his decision to retire was a deliberate choice, one that he thought through thoroughly, and while he may reconsider his options in the future, for now, he is at peace with his decision.

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Troost-Ekong's retirement was announced shortly after Nigeria's unsuccessful bid to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and just months before the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, marking the end of an era for the Super Eagles.

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Born in the Netherlands, Troost-Ekong made his Super Eagles debut in June 2015 under the late Stephen Keshi, going on to become a mainstay in Nigeria's defence, forming a formidable partnership with Leon Balogun, known as the "Oyibo Wall".

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One of the highlights of his career was the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire, where he captained the Super Eagles to the final, scoring three goals during the tournament, and although Nigeria lost to the hosts in the final, Troost-Ekong was named the tournament's Best Player.

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With a legacy that includes 83 caps, eight goals, an Olympic bronze medal from Rio 2016, and AFCON silver and bronze medals, Troost-Ekong bowed out as one of Nigeria's most accomplished defenders, leaving behind a lasting impact on the team.