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SHOCK RETIREMENT: SUPER EAGLES CAPTAIN WILLIAM TROOST-EKONG STEPS DOWN BEFORE AFCON
Super Eagles Captain William Troost-Ekong retires from international football after 83 caps, passing on leadership responsibility ahead of the Morocco AFCON.
Nigeria's captain, William Troost-Ekong, has announced he's retiring from international soccer just ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Troost-Ekong first played for the Super Eagles in 2015 and has since played 83 games for them.
The former Watford defender was the captain when Nigeria reached the AFCON final two years ago. He also played for Nigeria at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Troost-Ekong helped Nigeria win a bronze medal at the 2016 Olympics in Rio and said his time with the national team was unforgettable.
The 32-year-old was recently part of the Nigeria team that lost to DR Congo on penalties in a playoff for next year's World Cup.
Troost-Ekong's announcement comes just weeks before the start of AFCON in Morocco on December 21. Nigeria plays its first game against Tanzania on December 23.
In a statement, Troost-Ekong said, I'm retiring from international soccer today.
In 2015, a call from Stephen Keshi changed my life. He gave me my first game a month later. His belief in me made me want to be like him.
Every time I wore the Super Eagles shirt, I thought back to that moment.
Being the captain of the Super Eagles was more than I could have ever dreamed. Nigeria accepted me and trusted me to lead and represent a nation.
Being a boy raised in the Netherlands and becoming 'Oyibo Wall' and then 'Skippo' is something I'll always treasure.
I've played 83 games, been in 5 big tournaments, won 3 medals, and broken some records. I've really lived my dream.
A bronze medal at the 2016 Olympics, playing at the 2018 World Cup, and 3 great AFCON tournaments, with a bronze and a silver medal, will always be unforgettable.
Leading Nigeria through the 2023 AFCON, scoring in the final, and being named Player of the Tournament was very special.
I still wish it had ended differently. Being the defender with the most goals in AFCON history is something I share with every teammate who was there.
That tournament taught me what it means to be Nigerian—that when things get tough, we unite, work hard, push through the pain, and rise above it.
I'm happy knowing I gave everything I had. Not just for myself, but to inspire the next generation, like I was inspired by the legends I looked up to and had the honour of playing with.
It's been great playing with my Nigerian teammates, building something special together. Watching them become leaders, it's time to pass on the responsibility and the captaincy.
As someone who wore this shirt, I knew it was only temporary. Now it's time for the next generation to write their own story.
Being born abroad, I'm proud to be part of a group that showed it's possible to come home to play for our country.
None of this would have been possible without the people around me. To every coach, staff member, and especially my teammates, past and present, who were part of my international career—thank you.
To the Nigerian fans, the heart of Nigerian soccer, your support has helped me through everything. I'll stand with you as you stood with me.
This isn't goodbye. My work in Nigerian communities continues through The Troost-Ekong Foundation, and I'll keep working to build better futures for Nigerians. My support, love, and passion for the team will never go away.
The last ten years have been full of commitment, pride, and memories. Wearing the Super Eagles shirt was more than just playing soccer. It was a duty, a privilege, and an honour.
WILFRIED NANCY: CELTIC BOSS BLOCKS OUT ALL "NOISE" AND CRITICISM AFTER HEARTS LOSS
After the heat following the Hearts' loss, Celtic manager Wilfried Nancy stated he has "blocked everything out," including social media criticism, to focus solely on the team's performance.
Celtic's head coach, Wilfried Nancy, said he tunes out all the noise when making decisions as a manager.
This comes after the Frenchman faced some heat after a 2-1 loss to Heart of Midlothian in his first game with the Glasgow team.
Before the Europa League match against AS Roma, Nancy said he doesn't pay attention to what others think.
When asked if those opinions bother him, he told a press conference, "That's a good question."
I'll be honest.
Every team I've coached—when I decided to become a coach—well, when I had the chance to become a coach, I'd been an assistant for seven years, working with many coaches.
I always told myself that when I became a coach, I'd block everything out. And that's exactly what I did.
He said he's built a wall between himself and any outside opinions, even online criticism.
I've blocked anything on Twitter that mentions my name, the club, or what people are saying.
People can say what they want. It's part of the job, and that's what we prepare for. I'm not here to comment on everything.
The manager explained that ignoring public opinion helps him focus on what he can control to improve how the team plays.
He used an analogy about how everyone has different tastes, like when people have different experiences with the same food.
We could visit a restaurant together, and you might love the food, while I don't.
Get what I mean? You like it, and I don't.
Nancy made his goals clear: he's focused on his players and the club and wants to do his best to give good performances.
He wrapped up by saying, At the end of the day, it's part of the job. I control what I can to be good with my players, my club, and the people I work with and to make sure we have the best chance of winning by playing well.
His team will play AS Roma in the Europa League tomorrow.
PEACE PRIZE SCRUTINY: FIFA FACES FORMAL COMPLAINT ABOUT UNILATERAL DONALD TRUMP AWARD
FIFA President Gianni Infantino is accused of four breaches of the ethics code by FairSquare, including awarding the first FIFA Peace Prize to Donald Trump at the World Cup draw.
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After the World Cup draw last week, FIFA is facing a formal complaint about political neutrality. FairSquare, a nonprofit, sent FIFA’s Ethics Committee a detailed letter pointing out four possible violations by FIFA President Gianni Infantino during the event, one of which was giving out the FIFA Peace Prize.
Calls for FIFA to Look Into It
FairSquare's complaint follows the World Cup draw. At the event, the awarding of the first-ever FIFA Peace Prize was part of several mentions of President Donald Trump. FIFA said the award recognised Trump’s work in promoting peace and unity around the world.
FairSquare believes that giving the prize, along with other things that happened during the event, might have gone against FIFA’s policy of being politically neutral. They've requested the ethics committee to look into the decision to create and give out the FIFA Peace Prize and whether it followed FIFA’s rules.
Infantino and Trump
Infantino and Trump have met a few times over the years, which isn't unusual, as FIFA presidents often meet with leaders from different countries. During the draw, Infantino made some comments about Trump.
He said he was surprised by negative comments about Trump. He stated that, regardless of not being American, Trump was elected in the United States, and one should respect the results of a democratic election.
FairSquare's complaint argues that these statements show a political stance, breaking FIFA’s neutrality rules.
FIFA's Ethics Code
FIFA's ethics code says that the organisation should stay neutral when it comes to politics. It specifically says FIFA remains neutral in matters of politics and religion, also requiring everyone bound by the code to remain politically neutral when dealing with government groups.
Infantino has met with Trump a few times, including an invitation to the presidential inauguration and visits to the Oval Office.
Acting Alone
The Peace Prize given to Trump has been questioned, as it seems it was decided on and awarded without talking to senior FIFA officials. High-ranking FIFA officials were unaware of the award before its announcement. The award was revealed on the same day Infantino spoke at an event in the United States.
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