The Nigerian soccer group remains to be reeling from the surprising retirement of Tremendous Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong, a defender whose management, consistency, and patriotism have outlined a technology of the nationwide workforce.
As tributes proceed to pour in, a number of Tremendous Eagles stars have publicly expressed their admiration, gratitude, and feelings following the exit of one among Nigeria’s most revered soccer figures. From heartfelt messages to highly effective acknowledgments of his legacy, here’s what his teammates are saying:
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Victor Osimhen: “Legend Perpetually.”
Tremendous Eagles striker Victor Osimhen delivered one of the crucial emotional farewells to the captain, praising Troost-Ekong’s affect each on and off the pitch.
“It’s been an honour sharing the pitch with you, skippo. Your steerage, humility, and professionalism pushed all of us to be higher.
Thanks for the whole lot you’ve given to the workforce and Nigeria. Wishing you greatness forward. You’ve earned it. Legend eternally.”
Ever trustworthy and reflective, Alex Iwobi spoke about Troost-Ekong not solely as a teammate however as a brother who formed the workforce’s tradition.
“Clearly it’s a unhappy one for us as a result of he’s an enormous a part of our workforce. However on the finish of the day I want him properly, he’s a brother; he has helped Nigeria and me.
After all in direction of the tip of his Nigerian profession he wasn’t enjoying as a lot as in all probability he would love, however he was nonetheless an enormous a part of our workforce—his voice, his management, and the best way he made certain the togetherness within the workforce was very excessive and really robust.
So he can be very missed… he was an enormous chief for us and I’m certain we now have different leaders that may comply with in his footsteps, however all of us want him properly.”
Iwobi’s tribute highlights the behind-the-scenes management Troost-Ekong introduced—one thing followers not often see however teammates deeply worth.
Defender Calvin Bassey, who performed alongside Troost-Ekong at AFCON 2023, stored his message quick however highly effective:
“We love you Skippo!”
A easy expression of appreciation to a captain who mentored youthful gamers and anchored Nigeria’s protection for years.
Few gamers have shared as a lot defensive chemistry with Troost-Ekong as Leon Balogun—collectively, they fashioned one among Africa’s most iconic centre-back pairings.
His tribute was deeply private:
“Congrats in your legacy my brother, tremendous happy with the inspiration, the person and the participant you could have grow to be! It’s been EPIC.”
Balogun’s message displays years of partnership, friendship, and shared battles within the inexperienced and white.
From guiding Nigeria by means of a number of AFCON campaigns to lifting the 2023 AFCON Finest Participant award and serving as a unifying power within the dressing room, William Troost-Ekong leaves behind a legacy stamped with management and resilience.
