Super Eagles: Where does William Troost-Ekong rank among captains of the last 25 years?

Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong has brought his international career to a quiet but poignant end, drawing the curtain on a decade that reshaped his place in Nigerian football history.

The 31-year-old defender confirmed his retirement on Wednesday, ending weeks of uncertainty about whether he would return for AFCON 2025 despite being listed in Eric Chelle’s provisional squad. His announcement closes a chapter that began when Stephen Keshi handed him his debut and eventually saw him rise to captain the Super Eagles.

Ekong’s decision was made public through a personal statement on his X account, where he expressed gratitude to teammates, coaches and supporters who accompanied him through a national-team journey marked by resilience rather than raw talent. He exits with the admiration of a fanbase that watched him grow from a player fighting for recognition to a central figure in Nigeria’s defence and, more importantly, its leadership core.

HONOURED. GRATEFUL. FOREVER A SUPER EAGLE 🦅🇳🇬

Playing for Nigeria has been the greatest privilege of my life. The journey may end here, but my support never will.

Here’s to the next chapter. pic.twitter.com/qt7MoMZHiW

— William Troost-Ekong (M.O.N) (@WTroostEkong) December 4, 2025

Although speculation had intensified in recent days about whether he would feature in Morocco, the tone of his announcement made clear that his mind had been settled long before the provisional list was released. His absence at AFCON 2025 now moves from probability to certainty, confirming earlier signals that he was preparing to step aside.

Ranking Super Eagles captains in the 21st century

6. Jay-Jay Okocha

Jay-Jay Okocha remains one of Nigeria’s most gifted footballers, but as captain, his tenure was uneven. While he delivered one exceptional AFCON performance, he also skipped key qualifiers at a time when the team needed its most influential figures. His leadership was charismatic but inconsistent.

5. Ahmed Musa

Ahmed Musa, Nigeria’s most-capped player, wore the armband through sheer longevity. His greatest strength as captain was his ability to maintain harmony, often serving as a bridge between the squad and federation officials. But in a football sense, his period as captain did not redefine the team’s identity.

4. Nwankwo Kanu

Nwankwo Kanu carried the prestige of his name into the captaincy, even as he became less of an on-field regular. What he offered, however, was weight, gravitas that steadied a transitioning squad. His leadership was felt more in presence than performance.

3. Joseph Yobo

The anchor from Okocha’s retirement until 2014. Yobo effectively led the side with minimal fuss and maximum commitment. His legacy is complicated only by the team’s inconsistency during his time, though his role in Nigeria’s 2013 AFCON triumph still stands tall.

2. William Troost-Ekong

Troost-Ekong does not possess the natural flair or individual brilliance of the names above, but he carved out a unique space. He captained with clarity, unity and purpose, guiding a group that by his own admission was greater collectively than individually. He won trust in the dressing room, fronted difficult issues when necessary and helped shape a team identity built on togetherness rather than star power.

1. John Mikel Obi

And towering above them all, in terms of lasting impact, remains John Mikel Obi. He grew into the role, set professional standards and led by routine excellence. Mikel’s reign blended authority with calm, and he delivered performances that established him as the reference point for modern Super Eagles captaincy.