Over the years, the Super Eagles have experienced the benefits of having great captains. We’ve seen the likes of Joseph Yobo, Stephen Keshi, and even William Troost Ekong. These players gave their all for the Super Eagles jersey and brought pride to the nation.
Now, the retirement of the previous captain, William Troost Ekong, has left a huge gap in captaincy to be filled. Several players have been speculated but which of them are truly fitting for the job?
This post has been designed to answer that question. In this article, you’ll be reading about four players likely to become the new Super Eagles captain after Ekong retirement. Read this article to the end to see the top names.
Four Players Likely To Become New Captain After William Troost Ekong
These are the top players likely to become Nigeria’s Super Eagles team captain after William Troost Ekong:
1. Wilfred Ndidi
Wilfred Ndidi is one of the most respected Super Eagles players who has built his name from scratch. He plays for Leicester City in the English Championship League. Wilfred Ndidi has spent over 5 years playing for the Leicester football club.
For the national team of Nigeria, Wilfred Ndidi has been one of the most consistent names called up for the Super Eagles. He made his debut in 2015 against DR Congo in an international friendly. Since then, Wilfred Ndidi has earned over 60 international caps for the Super Eagles and has played in several AFCON tournaments with the Nigerian jersey.
Wilfred Ndidi shows his leadership qualities in several ways on the pitch. In several games with the Super Eagles, he is known for positioning his teammates and is always ready to scold his teammates when they become complacent.
During the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, several times he was seen talking to Stanley Nwabali to concentrate on the match and give his best. So, these are qualities that make him an ideal leader for the Super Eagles of Nigeria.
Looking at his performance with the Super Eagles, one can say Wilfred Ndidi is one to give his all for the team. In Africa, he is ranked among the best ball-winning midfielders. He provides security for his teammates to go forward freely and score goals.
In fact, when it comes to doing the dirty jobs on the pitch, Wilfred Ndidi is the man. All of these attributes make Wilfred Ndidi a strong candidate for the Super Eagles captaincy after William Troost Ekong’s retirement.
2. Victor Osimhen
Victor Osihmen’s name cannot be omitted in conversations about the Super Eagles of Nigeria captaincy. Victor Osihmen plays for the Galatasaray club in Turkey and has risen to become one of the most reliable players of the club. He made his debut under Gernot Rohr in 2017 in a friendly against Togo. So far, Victor Osihmen has gone on to become Nigeria’s second all-time goal scorer only behind the legendary Rashidi Yekini.
Victor Oshimen has over 35 international caps with the Super Eagles of Nigeria. He is known for his vocal leadership of the Super Eagles of Nigeria. Several times, he doesn’t hesitate to shout instructions to his teammates whether on the pitch or off the pitch.
In fact, this was evident in Nigeria’s game in the previous AFCON and even in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers match. No doubt, training alongside legendary players such as Mauro Icardi and Alvaro Morata at his club side helped him build up this quality.
When it comes to numbers, Victor Oshimen is up there for the Super Eagles. According to the statistics, he records one goal involvement every two games for Nigeria. As an attacker, Victor Oshimen is a player who isn’t lazy in aerial duels and pressing the opponents nonstop. No doubt, Victor Oshimen is a player who can lead and the handband would show this even better.
3. Alex Iwobi
Alex Iwobi has proven over time to be one of the hardest-working players on the Nigerian Super Eagles team. His maturity and tactical understanding of the game make him stand out from his counterparts in the game. Alex Iwobi plays for Fulham and has become one of the leaders of the Fulham team since his arrival.
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Alex Iwobi made his debut for the Super Eagles in 2015 under coach Sunday Oliseh. During his time, he has become one of the most capped players of the Super Eagles team, boasting a total cap number of 75. In these 75 international caps, Alex Iwobi has contributed goals and assists during this time.
Alex Iwobi’s leadership style is more reserved for the younger players. He is always seen talking to the younger players on the pitch and helping them remain focused in the game.
Also, his leadership is seen in the midfield where he often sacrifices to play in a less efficient position for his other teammates. All of these show discipline and maturity for a player of his quality.
4. Stanley Nwabali
Stanley Nwabali has emerged as one of Nigeria’s most trusted goalkeepers in recent years. He plays for Chippa United and made his Super Eagles debut in 2023 under José Peseiro. Despite being new to the national team, Stanley Nwabali has already accumulated over 10 caps for the Super Eagles of Nigeria.
Stanley Nwabali is a natural leader for the Super Eagles team and that has been seen clearly. Almost in every match that he plays for the Super Eagles, Stanley Nwabali has been pictured on several occasions communicating loudly and constantly adjusting the positions during set pieces.
When it comes to statistics, Stanley Nwabali’s impact has been undeniable. He has recorded multiple clean sheets and penalty saves during the tournament for the Super Eagles which has boosted the team’s confidence.
You’ll agree that if Eric Chelle decides to choose a goalkeeper-captain, then Stanley Nwabali is the man for the job.
Conclusion
In a team, choosing a captain is one of the toughest decisions for a coach. Yes, this is because a captain should be someone who shows responsibility and has the performance to back it up. For the Super Eagles, these players mentioned above fit the profile. But the question is: Who is the most suitable for the job?
Well, let’s wait and see who Eric Chelle chooses.