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The Digests:

Following William Troost-Ekong's international retirement, heartfelt tributes have poured in, led by his long-time centre-back partner Leon Balogun, celebrating the legacy of the iconic defensive duo known as the 'Oyinbo Wall.'

Key Points:
  • Former Super Eagles defender Leon Balogun led tributes, calling his former partner's career "EPIC" and expressing pride in the "inspiration" Troost-Ekong became.
  • The pair, famously nicknamed the 'Oyinbo Wall', formed Nigeria's primary defensive partnership for seven years, bringing stability and leadership.
  • Troost-Ekong retired with 83 caps and 9 goals, describing his Nigeria journey as the "greatest privilege" of his life in an emotional social media post.
  • He highlighted his debut under late coach Stephen Keshi in 2015 and his crowning achievement as Player of the Tournament at the 2023 AFCON, where he scored in the final.
  • The defender acknowledged it was time to pass the iconic shirt to the "next generation," while tipping Nigeria to win the 2025 AFCON in Morocco.
  • Balogun, who last played for Nigeria in 2022, and Troost-Ekong were both part of a transformative wave of foreign-born players who chose to represent the Super Eagles in the last decade.
This retirement not only marks the end of a player's journey but also the dismantling of a legendary defensive wall that stood firm through numerous storms, leaving a blueprint of commitment and partnership for the next generation to follow.

Sources: Soccernet, Complete Sports