Troost-Ekong’s 6 most memorable moments with Super Eagles

With the 20205 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) around the corner, the immediate past captain of the Super Eagles’ William Troost-Ekong, took many by surprise when he announced his retirement from international football. Although the signs were ominous that he was going to hang his international boots in no distant future, many Nigerian football fans […]

With the 20205 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) around the corner, the immediate past captain of the Super Eagles’ William Troost-Ekong, took many by surprise when he announced his retirement from international football.
Although the signs were ominous that he was going to hang his international boots in no distant future, many Nigerian football fans thought he would do so only after the AFCON in Morocco.
Born on September 1, 1993, Troost-Ekong who made his international debut in 2015 under the late Stephen Keshi, no doubt had an illustrious international career with at least three major trophies to show for his dedication and commitment to the Nigerian senior national team.
However, everything that has a beginning must have an end. Therefore, the player who recorded 83 caps and eight goals in 10 years of international football has left the stage now that the ovation is still loud.
Troost-Ekong’s career as a Super Eagles player was marked by several memorable moments, showcasing his leadership, defensive prowess, and ability to score crucial goals.
Daily Trust, therefore, takes a look at some of these most memorable moments that defined the influential player, an imposing and reliable centre-back, and a distinguished figure in Nigerian football.

He chose Nigeria over the Netherlands
Born and raised in the Netherlands, he represented the Dutch U-19 and U-20 teams before the late Stephen Keshi convinced him to switch allegiance in 2015. This decision, which led to his senior debut in the AFCON qualifying match against Chad in 2015, is cited as a significant starting point in his legacy.

Won bronze medal at Rio 2016 Olympics
A year after his senior debut, Ekong alongside other senior players like John Mikel Obi, and Daniel Akpeyi, played a key role as a central figure in the Dream Team VI, helping Nigeria secure the bronze medal in the men’s football tournament with a dramatic 3-2 win over Honduras in the third-place match.

Scored last-minute winning goal against South Africa at 2019 AFCON
In the quarter-final of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), Ekong scored the winning goal in the 89th minute, reacting fastest to a loose ball in the box to seal a 2-1 victory and send Nigeria to the semi-finals.

Scored pressure penalty against Ivory Coast
As captain, he showed immense composure under pressure from the home crowd at the delayed 2023 AFCON in Côte d’Ivoire. He converted a crucial second-half penalty to secure a 1-0 win against the host nation, which was pivotal to Nigeria’s deep run in the tournament.

Emerged MVP at 2023 AFCON
Despite Nigeria’s loss in the final, the 2023 AFCON was the peak of his individual achievement. He was named the Player of the Tournament after scoring three goals, including one in the final, making him the highest-scoring defender in AFCON history with five goals overall.

His famous partnership with Leon Balogun
His iconic partnership in central defense with Leon Balogun was fondly known as the “Oyibo Wall,” providing a solid defensive foundation for the team across multiple tournaments. Although some of the “oyibos” like Tyronne Ebuehi fizzled out in no time, Troost-Ekong lasted the distance, leaving behind enduring legacies and indelible memories.