5 memorable moments in William Troost-Ekong’s Super Eagles career

From the Netherlands to the heart of the “Oyibo Wall,” William Troost-Ekong’s journey with the Nigerian Super Eagles has been defined by leadership, commitment, and moments of unforgettable drama.

A rock in the defence and a vocal captain on the field, Ekong’s tenure saw him rise to become one of the nation’s most impactful defenders. He officially announced his retirement from international football on Thursday, just days before the 35th AFCON in Morocco, confirming the decision in a social media post.

Here are five of the most memorable moments that define William Troost-Ekong’s Super Eagles career:

1. The decision: choosing Nigeria and the 2015 debut

Born and raised in the Netherlands, Ekong represented the Dutch U-19 and U-20 teams before the late Stephen Keshi, then Super Eagles coach, convinced him to switch allegiance. Ekong has often spoken about the pride he felt making that choice, which solidified his identity with the Nigerian team.

His senior debut came on 13 June 2015 in an AFCON qualifier against Chad, marking the start of an international career that would later include an iconic partnership with Leon Balogun, known as the “Oyibo Wall.”

2. The first medal: Olympic bronze at Rio 2016

A year after his senior debut, Ekong helped Nigeria win bronze at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. As a key member of the Dream Team VI, he brought maturity and stability to the squad, culminating in a dramatic 3-2 victory over Honduras in the third-place match.

3. The late heroics: AFCON 2019 quarter-final goal vs South Africa

At the 2019 AFCON in Egypt, Ekong scored one of the tournament’s most decisive goals. With the quarter-final match against South Africa tied at 1-1 in the 89th minute, he reacted quickest to a loose ball in the box to score the winner, sending Nigeria into the semi-finals and thrilling fans across the country.

4. The captain’s penalty: dominating the host nation at AFCON 2023

At the delayed AFCON 2023 in Côte d’Ivoire, Ekong—now captain—showed immense composure against the host nation. With Nigeria needing a win after an opening draw, he converted a high-pressure penalty in the 55th minute to secure a crucial 1-0 victory that fuelled the team’s run to the final.

5. Individual glory: Player of the Tournament at AFCON 2023

Despite Nigeria’s loss in the final, AFCON 2023 marked the peak of Ekong’s individual achievements. He was named TotalEnergies Player of the Tournament after scoring three goals, including a semi-final penalty against South Africa and the opening goal in the final. The performance made him the highest-scoring defender in AFCON history, with five goals.

Ekong’s leadership, resilience—even while battling injury—and defensive command cemented his status as one of the finest central defenders in African football history.