### Super Eagles Captain William Troost-Ekong Retires Ahead of AFCON 2025 William Troost-Ekong, the captain of Nigeria's national football team, the Super Eagles, has announced his retirement from international football just weeks before the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco. Troost-Ekong, who has earned 83 caps for Nigeria since his debut in 2015, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to represent his country, stating that playing for Nigeria was the "greatest privilege" of his life [https://dailypost.ng/2025/12/04/super-eagles-captain-troost-ekong-retires-few-weeks-before-afcon-2025]. His decision has sparked discussions about potential replacements, with Paul Onuachu emerging as a surprising candidate to fill the defensive void left by Troost-Ekong [https://www.legit.ng/sports/football/1686954-afcon-2025-super-eagles-striker-paul-onuachu-emerges-surprise-full-troost-ekongs-retirement]. ### Breakdown of Troost-Ekong's Retirement and Its Implications 1. **Announcement of Retirement**: - Troost-Ekong made his retirement announcement on December 4, 2025, via social media, highlighting his emotional farewell to the national team [https://www.thecable.ng/just-in-troost-ekong-retires-from-international-football]. 2. **Reasons for Retirement**: - Alex Iwobi, a teammate, indicated that Troost-Ekong's decision was influenced by his desire to play at a level he felt was no longer achievable for the national team [https://dailypost.ng/2025/12/06/iwobi-hints-on-why-troost-ekong-left-super-eagles]. 3. **Leadership Transition**: - Following Troost-Ekong's retirement, Wilfred Ndidi has been appointed as the new captain of the Super Eagles for the upcoming AFCON [https://dailypost.ng/2025/12/05/ndidi-to-captain-super-eagles-at-afcon-2025]. 4. **Reactions from the Football Community**: - The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) praised Troost-Ekong as a "committed and humble leader," reflecting on his contributions to the team [https://dailypost.ng/2025/12/05/nff-reacts-to-troost-ekongs-decison-to-retire-before-afcon]. Fellow players and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) also expressed their admiration and respect for his career [https://pmparrotng.com/2025/12/05/after-retirement-decision-caf-teammates-salute-troost-ekong]. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **Career Highlights**: - Troost-Ekong has been a key player for Nigeria since 2015, earning 83 caps and serving as captain since 2021 [https://skysports.com/football/news/11095/13479617/william-troost-ekong-nigeria-captain-explains-international-retirement-ahead-of-afcon]. - **Impact of Retirement**: - His retirement comes at a critical time, just weeks before a major tournament, raising questions about the team's defensive strategy and leadership [https://www.nationalaccordnewspaper.com/super-eagles-captain-william-troost-ekong-retires-from-international-football-ahead-of-2025-afcon]. ### Conclusion: The Future of the Super Eagles Post-Troost-Ekong **William Troost-Ekong's retirement marks a significant transition for the Super Eagles as they prepare for AFCON 2025.** 1. **Leadership Change**: Wilfred Ndidi steps in as captain, bringing a new dynamic to the team [https://dailypost.ng/2025/12/05/ndidi-to-captain-super-eagles-at-afcon-2025]. 2. **Potential Replacements**: Paul Onuachu's emergence as a candidate for the defensive role indicates a shift in team strategy [https://www.legit.ng/sports/football/1686954-afcon-2025-super-eagles-striker-paul-onuachu-emerges-surprise-full-troost-ekongs-retirement]. 3. **Community Support**: The football community's response underscores the respect and admiration for Troost-Ekong's contributions, setting a tone of gratitude as the team moves forward [https://pmparrotng.com/2025/12/05/after-retirement-decision-caf-teammates-salute-troost-ekong]. As the Super Eagles gear up for the tournament, the focus will be on how they adapt to this leadership change and the new challenges ahead.