Retired Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong has been formally honoured with the prestigious national award of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR). In a heartfelt response, the defender credited Nigeria as the foundation of his identity and the stage that allowed him to realize his football ambitions.
An Honour of Pride and Humility
Expressing his gratitude on social media platform X, Troost-Ekong thanked President Bola Tinubu for the recognition. He described the moment as one filled with both pride and humility for himself and his family. The MFR award marks the second time Nigeria has officially recognised his contributions, an act he says deepens his connection to the nation and underscores the enduring responsibility of representing it.
"Nigeria gave me my identity, my purpose, and the platform to live my dream through football," Troost-Ekong stated. He emphasized that wearing the green and white jersey of the Super Eagles was never taken lightly. "Wearing the green and white has always been a great responsibility, privilege, and a promise to give everything for the badge and for our people," he added.
AFCON 2023 Heroics Lead to National Recognition
This national honour directly follows Troost-Ekong's exceptional leadership and performance during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Côte d'Ivoire. As captain, he guided the team to a runners-up finish, personally scoring three crucial goals from defence. His dominant displays earned him the tournament's Most Valuable Player award, cementing his status as one of AFCON's standout stars.
Born in the Netherlands to a Nigerian father and Dutch mother, Troost-Ekong committed his international future to Nigeria in 2015. Since that decision, he has become a pillar of the national team, earning over 60 caps and wearing the captain's armband in multiple major tournaments. His career with the Super Eagles includes:
- Two AFCON tournament appearances.
- Pivotal roles in World Cup qualifying campaigns.
- Key performances in AFCON qualification matches.
Continued Support and Club Career
Despite retiring from international duty, Troost-Ekong's support for the Super Eagles remains unwavering. As the team embarked on a new AFCON campaign, he sent a message of strong belief. "As our Super Eagles begin their AFCON journey today, I wish the team every success. As promised, I’ll be supporting them all the way. I believe in this group, our nation and what we can achieve," he said, describing the team as a unifying symbol of hope for all Nigerians.
At the club level, Troost-Ekong continues his professional journey. In 2024, he moved to Saudi Arabian club Al-Kholood after a stint with Greek side PAOK Thessaloniki, where he competed in both domestic and European competitions. Beyond the pitch, he is actively involved in social initiatives within Nigeria, focusing on empowering youth through education and development programs.
