NIGERIA’S CAPTAIN REPOST EKONG RETIRES

By: Gyang Dakwo

Former Nigeria captain William Troost-Ekong has retired from international football. He announced on Thursday. This comes just nineteen days before the Super Eagles begin their Africa Cup of Nations campaign.

The team’s coach, Eric Chelle, had included the defender in a large preliminary squad for the tournament. The Africa Cup of Nations starts on December twenty first. Nigeria will play Tanzania in their first group match two days later.

Troost-Ekong was the best player at the last Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast. He scored the first goal in the final, but Nigeria lost two to one to the host nation.

His last game for Nigeria was two months ago in a World Cup qualifier against Lesotho. Nigeria won that match two to one. He was a substitute in the next match, a four to zero victory over Rwanda which gave Nigeria a chance to qualify for the World Cup in special playoff matches.

Troost-Ekong did not play in those playoff games however, as coach Eric Chelle chose other defenders. Nigeria ultimately lost and did not qualify.

The thirty two year old defender played for Nigeria eighty three times. Writing about his retirement on social media, he said playing for Nigeria was the greatest privilege of his life. He also wrote that his journey with the team ends now, but his support for the team never will. His career with the Super Eagles lasted ten years.

Wilfred Ndidi has already taken over as team captain. Three-time winners of the Africa Cup of Nations, Nigeria will face Tunisia and Uganda in the group stage of the tournament.