AFCON 2025: Troost Ekong’s replacement in Super Eagles identified

Marseille legend Mamadou Niang has endorsed Fulham defender Calvin Bassey as the ideal player to replace William Troost-Ekong at the heart of the Super Eagles’ defence ahead of AFCON 2025.

Troost-Ekong, who captained Nigeria to the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, stunned many fans last week after announcing his retirement from international football.

His decision came shortly after the Super Eagles failed to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Speaking on Canal+, Niang said Bassey has shown immense growth, maturity, and consistency in the Premier League with Fulham. According to him, the 24-year-old has all the qualities needed to step into the leadership role left behind by Troost-Ekong.

“With what I see at Fulham, the impact he has in Premier League matches… he is a talented, tough defender with excellent left-foot distribution and above-average athleticism,” Niang said.

He added that Bassey’s confidence and leadership ability stand out, making him the natural successor to Troost-Ekong:

“He is a player I think is the leader of the Nigeria defence, capable of replacing Troost-Ekong, who took this team to the AFCON final. Calvin Bassey is more than capable of succeeding him in that position.”