This decision was announced by Troost-Ekong immediately after the defeat to the Democratic Republic of Congo in the decisive match of the African qualifying tournaments. According to information from the team, the 31-year-old defender informed his teammates in the locker room that this match was his last in the national team jersey.
Despite his retirement, Troost-Ekong plans to participate in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, but in the role of a supporting player, without stepping onto the field.
His journey with the Nigerian national team can be described as monumental: this year marks ten years since his debut in the qualifiers for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations against Chad. He soon became known for his successful partnership with Leon Balogun, forming the legendary "Oyibo Wall," which helped Nigeria qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
The pinnacle of his international career was the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast, where he led his team to the final and was recognized as the tournament MVP, despite the loss to the hosts.
With Troost-Ekong's departure, fans' attention is now focused on 19-year-old Benjamin Frederick, who has quickly established himself as the new leader of Nigeria's defense and is seen as his successor.
Thus, Troost-Ekong concludes his journey with the national team as one of the most loyal and stable players of the "Super Eagles," dedicating a whole decade to representing the national team.
