William Troost-Ekong announces his conversion to Islam in Qatar

The life of William Troost-Ekong, former captain of Nigeria and current Al-Ahli Doha defender, has taken a new turn. The Nigerian player has announced his conversion to Islam in Qatar.

Troost-Ekong appeared in a widely shared video on social media in which he recites the profession of faith. The images quickly sparked numerous reactions in sporting circles in Qatar, as well as across the Arab and African worlds.

A rich career in Europe

Now 33, Troost-Ekong has had several spells in Europe’s top leagues, notably at Udinese in Serie A and Watford in the Premier League.

After his time in Europe, the defender moved to the Gulf in 2024, signing for Al-Khaleej in Saudi Arabia before continuing his career in Qatar with Al-Ahli Doha.

His record with Nigeria

Troost-Ekong made 83 appearances for the Super Eagles between 2015 and 2025, scoring a total of eight goals. He notably reached the 2023 AFCON final with Nigeria and was named the tournament’s best player.

The former Super Eagles captain announced his international retirement last November, after Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

It should be noted that Troost-Ekong joined Al-Ahli Doha in January 2026 from Al-Kholood on a free transfer. He signed an 18-month contract.

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Mohamed Rek |

Editorfr, ar, en

Mohamed Rek- sports content writer with over 10 years of experience creating football content in Arabic and French for platforms such as Foot Africa and Starafrica, combining accuracy, creativity, and audience engagement.

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