Reports in the Qatari daily Al-Arab and several Nigerian and foreign media sites claimed that former Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong had converted to Islam after reciting the Shahadah in Doha, Qatar.
A video shared on social media shows the 33-year-old Nigerian defender reading the Islamic statement of faith in Arabic. Dr Muhammad Salah, an Islamic expert, also published the footage of the footballer on his verified Facebook page, saying that Troost-Ekong converted to Islam.
The development comes as Troost-Ekong is now playing for Qatar Stars League team Al-Ahli that he joined in January 2026 from Saudi Arabian side Al-Kholood. He previously plied his trade for clubs around Europe before going to the Gulf region.
Troost-Ekong has not publicly disclosed details of what caused him to accept Islam. The reports available now confirm his recitation of the Shahadah but do not establish the particular circumstances or reasoning underlying the decision.
The defender has enjoyed a great international career for Nigeria. He made his debut for the Super Eagles in 2015 and went on to make 83 appearances and score eight goals until announcing his retirement from international football in 2025.
One of the highlights of his international career occurred in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire, where he guided Nigeria to the final, scoring three goals. He won the Player of the Tournament title for his displays.
He was also a member of the Nigeria squad at the 2018 FIFA World Cup and the Olympic Games, becoming one of the most experienced defenders in the country before retiring from international football.
His transfer to the Gulf had already brought him into closer contact with the language and culture of the region. In Saudi Arabia he openly discussed his interest in learning Arabic, and his professional path carried him to Qatar.
The conversion mentioned has sparked much interest among Nigerian football fans, not least due to Troost-Ekong’s earlier role as Super Eagles captain and key figure in guiding Nigeria to the 2023 AFCON final.
So far the confirmed public development is his recitation of the Shahadah and purported embrace of Islam. Troost-Ekong is yet to give a full explanation of his religious journey, or what informed his decision.
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