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September 24, 2026
NAIJASPORTAINMENT BLOG
24th September 2026FORMER SUPER EAGLES CAPTAIN WILLIAM TROOST-EKONG EMBRACES ISLAM
Former Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong has embraced Islam in Qatar after publicly reciting the Shahadah, the Islamic declaration of faith.
The 33-year-old defender, who currently plays for Al-Ahli in the Qatar Stars League, was seen in a video reciting the declaration in Arabic in Doha.
Reports from Qatar indicate that Troost-Ekong had been learning more about Islam through Muslim friends and expressed interest in understanding the faith further.
Troost-Ekong, who was born in the Netherlands to a Nigerian father and Dutch mother, represented Nigeria at the 2018 FIFA World Cup and several Africa Cup of Nations tournaments.
He captained Nigeria to the 2023 AFCON final and was named the tournament’s Player of the Tournament.
The former Watford and PAOK defender retired from international football in December 2025 after making more than 80 appearances for the Super Eagles.
His decision to embrace Islam marks a significant personal milestone in the life of one of Nigeria’s most recognisable football figures.
By OLAWALE HAMZAT TOP STRIKER
Naijasportainment Blog
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