The premier African football body, CAF joined fellow Super Eagles’ players and some Nigerians citizens to hail ‘Captain-fantastic’ William Troost-Ekong after his retirement from international football.
During the late hours of Thursday 5th of December, in an emotional statement on his official X account, the Super Eagles’ of Nigerian Troost-Ekong officially announced that he had decided to retire from international football.
On his post, he wrote; “Every single time I put on that iconic shirt, I thought back to the moment Stephen Keshi gave me my debut,”. “ And as a matter of fact, Nigeria as the giant of Africa took me in and trusted me to represent a nation of 230+ million. I have lived my dream.
The foreign born central defender said that representing and playing in five major tournaments and captaining Nigeria is beyond his wildest dreams.
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His retirement reaction also came from Fulham midfielder and Troost-Ekong’s Super Eagles’ teammate, Alex Iwobi said: who said “Obviously, his retirement from international football is a sad one because as you all know, he is a big member of the team.
“However, I wish him very well because he has really helped the Super Eagles and helped me as well. I just hope that the next chapter of his life goes well for him. We will all support him.
Most importantly, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) in a report on its official website wrote, hailing the Nigerian central defender for blessing the game of football with his talent.
CAF, while hailing the Nigerian international said; “his retirement marks the end of an era for Nigeria, a decade in which Troost-Ekong became not only a captain, but a symbol of pride, perseverance and national identity.”
Africa’s football body took to X to shower praises at the former Watford and Udinese centre-back, saying: “Legends remain, in their time and long after it. William Troost-Ekong. It’s been a pleasure, captain.”
Onyinyechi Ogu Obaroh, Nigerian sports journalist and TV presenter, also posted: “The heartbeat in our backline, The roar behind every tackle.
I spoke to you while you carried the hopes of millions on your shoulders and even then, you carried yourself with humility.
