Sports
Osimhen, Iwobi pay tributes to Troost-Ekong
Victor Osimhen and Alex Iwobi have paid heartfelt tributes to Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong after the defender announced his retirement from international football.
Troost-Ekong, 32, steps away after a decade of service, 83 caps and eight goals, ending his international journey just days before Nigeria begin their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations campaign in Morocco.
The defender broke the news in a personal message on Thursday, writing, “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.”
Troost-Ekong’s retirement drew an immediate emotional response from striker Victor Osimhen, who has shared the pitch with the defender since his own early days with the national team.
The Galatasaray forward expressed admiration and gratitude, writing on social media, “It’s been an honour sharing the pitch with you, skippo. Your guidance, humility, and professionalism pushed all of us to be better.
“Thank you for everything you’ve given to the team and Nigeria. Wishing you greatness ahead. You’ve earned it. Legend forever.”
Fulham midfielder Alex Iwobi echoed the sentiment in an interview with SportyTV’s Kelechi, describing the retirement as an “emotional moment” inside the camp.
“Obviously, it is a sad one for us because he is a big part of our team. But at the end of the day, I wish him well, he is a brother, he has helped Nigeria and me,” Iwobi said.
“Of course, towards the end of his Nigerian career, he wasn’t playing as much as probably he would like, but he was still a big part of our team, his voice, the way he was leading us and the way he made sure the togetherness in the team was very high and very strong.”
Iwobi praised the former captain’s impact in the dressing room, saying, “So he will be very missed, he was a big leader for us, and I am sure we have other leaders that can follow in his footsteps, but we all wish him well.”
Troost-Ekong, who plays for Al-Kholood in the Saudi Pro League, was born in the Netherlands to a Dutch mother and Nigerian father. After representing the Netherlands at the youth level, he committed his senior international future to Nigeria and made his debut on June 13, 2015, in an AFCON qualifying match against Chad.
His tally of five goals at the AFCON remains the highest scored by a defender in the history of the competition. The defender scored eight goals in 83 appearances, with his final outing coming as a late substitute against Gabon on November 13.
Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, and a former presidential aide, Reno Omokri, have commended the Super Eagles for their performance at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) despite their semi-final defeat to Morocco.
Nigeria lost 4–2 on penalties to the host nation after a goalless draw over regulation time and extra time on Wednesday, ending the Super Eagles’ bid for a place in the final.
Reacting via his X handle on Thursday, Obi praised the players for their resilience and commitment, urging them to remain focused ahead of the third-place match.
“Dearest gallant Super Eagles, it was a battle well fought, and heads were not bowed.
“Thank you for a beautiful 120 minutes of incredible play. You showed your strength and prowess against all odds.
“The journey is not over. You have made the nation proud. Keep your heads high, the Eagle never stops soaring. There is another stage, let’s go get that medal. You have done well,” Obi wrote.
Also reacting on Facebook on Wednesday, Omokri said the Super Eagles deserved praise for their effort against a formidable host side.
“It was not for want of trying that the Super Eagles lost to Morocco. I am super proud of their effort today, as all Nigerians should be. Great teamwork,” he wrote.
Omokri added that the circumstances of the match made the performance even more commendable.
“It is worth stating that they played against a home squad that has never lost a home game in sixteen years. Yet, with all that pressure, they still gave it their best measure. Well done, Super Eagles!” he said.
Nigeria will face the Pharaohs of Egypt in the tournament’s third-place match on Saturday at 5 p.m.
Senegal, who earlier defeated Egypt 1–0 in their semifinal on Wednesday, will meet Morocco in Sunday’s final for the AFCON 2025 crown.
Cameroon Football Federation (FECAFOOT) President Samuel Eto’o has been handed a four-match ban for alleged misconduct during the team’s 2-0 defeat by hosts Morocco at the Africa Cup of Nations last Friday, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) said in a statement.
Eto’o was reportedly seen making an angry gesture over refereeing decisions in the presence of CAF President Patrice Motsepe.
Players from both sides also jostled each other, and CAF said on Sunday it had opened investigations into violent confrontations during AFCON matches.
CAF’s disciplinary board fined Eto’o $20 000, a decision FECAFOOT said “lacks any explicit justification”.
“The expedited procedure leading to this decision raises serious concerns regarding the fundamental requirements of a fair process,” FECAFOOT said on Thursday, adding it would appeal.
“FECAFOOT reaffirms its support for its president and its commitment to respecting the principles governing credible disciplinary justice,” it added.
Hosts Morocco will play Senegal in the final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday.
Goalkeeper Yassine Bounou was the hero with two saves in the shoot-out as hosts Morocco beat Nigeria 4-2 on penalties to set up an Africa Cup of Nations final showdown this weekend with Senegal after a tense last-four clash on Wednesday finished 0-0 at the end of extra time.
Bounou saved from Samuel Chukwueze and brilliantly from Bruno Onyemaechi, allowing Youssef En-Nesyri to convert the winning kick and spark wild celebrations inside the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.
There was joy but also relief for Hamza Igamane, who had appeared distraught after his kick was saved by Nigeria goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali.
He was the only Moroccan player to fail to score in the shoot-out, however, with captain and talisman Achraf Hakimi among those who converted their penalties.
Morocco will now play Senegal on Sunday after the Lions of Teranga defeated Mohamed Salah’s Egypt 1-0 in the other semi-final earlier thanks to a Sadio Mane goal.
That will be a clash between the top two African sides in the FIFA world rankings and a fitting showpiece for the tournament.
Walid Regragui’s Morocco have been under enormous pressure to deliver a first AFCON title for their country in half a century but will be confident of coming out on top with their support behind them at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.
But as their dream remains alive it is an agonising way for Nigeria’s hopes to end, two years they lost the final to the hosts in Ivory Coast.
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