Super Eagles defender and vice-captain, William Troost-Ekong, has decided to retire from international football and will not play for Nigeria again, www.aclsports.com reports.
According to football transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Ekong has decided to end his career with the Nigerian national team after a decade. This development comes just weeks after the Super Eagles failed to qualify for the intercontinental playoffs in Mexico next year.
Ekong, who had previously hinted at leaving the national team after this forthcoming Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, has now decided to act. The 32-year-old was named player of the tournament at the last AFCON in Cote d’Ivoire, where Nigeria finished as runners-up, and was also part of the squad that finished third at the edition of the tournament in Egypt 2019.
Meanwhile, the Al-Kholood defender was named in Eric Chelle’s provisional squad for next month’s AFCON, and this decision will remain a huge talking point among the fans. Having previously lost Benjamin Fredrick due to injury, Chelle will now be with his most experienced defender for the AFCON, barring a change in decision.
Ekong, who also won a football bronze medal with Nigeria’s Olympic team at the 2016 Rio Olympics, has 83 caps for Nigeria across five major tournaments, including the FIFA World Cup.
