Super Eagles captain, William Troost-Ekong, has reaffirmed the team’s determination to secure qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, as Nigeria gears up for the CAF Play-Off Tournament in Morocco next month.
Speaking after the team’s emphatic 4–0 victory over Benin Republic, the 32-year-old defender expressed optimism about Nigeria’s chances while appealing for patience and continued support from fans.
“We are quite happy to have this opportunity. It’s a long route, but it’s a route after all,” Ekong said. “We’ll remain strong, tough, and ready to confront every challenge as we pursue the World Cup ticket. It was a wonderful team effort on Tuesday. Everyone contributed and played their part. You take what you get and make the best of it.”
Nigeria will face Gabon’s Palancas Negras in the first semi-final of the CAF Play-Offs on November 13, while Cameroon take on the Democratic Republic of Congo the following day. The winners will meet in the final on November 16, with the overall champion advancing to the Intercontinental Play-Offs scheduled for March 2026 in Guadalajara and Monterrey, Mexico.
Ekong, who plays for Saudi club Al-Kholood and has earned 82 international caps, highlighted the honour and responsibility of representing Nigeria, describing it as both inspiring and demanding.
“It’s not easy to wear this shirt — it’s very heavy,” he said. “Many players stood up and took responsibility today, and that’s what we need. Everyone is trying and giving their best. It’s not always perfect, but we’re united in our effort to make Nigerians proud.”
The Super Eagles captain cautioned against harsh criticism of the team, noting that negative commentary can affect morale. He praised the depth of the squad, citing Frank Onyeka’s late goal and Victor Osimhen’s standout performance as examples of the team’s strength and unity.
“Frank came off the bench and made an impact — that shows the quality we have. Everyone wants to contribute, and that competition keeps us sharp,” he added.
Reflecting on the team’s recent challenges, Ekong acknowledged that frequent coaching changes and limited preparation time had disrupted consistency but expressed confidence that stability would bring improvement.
“We’ve had about four coaches recently, and it’s been hard to build rhythm. But with more time together, we’ll get stronger. The boys are working hard, and the results will show,” he assured.
With crucial fixtures ahead — including next month’s play-offs and the 2026 Africa Cup of Nations — Ekong called on fans to remain patient and supportive as the Super Eagles continue their rebuilding process.
“We just need a bit of patience. Mistakes will happen, but no one should be afraid to try. We feel the support of over 270 million Nigerians, and that drives us. We’ll keep improving — the work is far from over,” he concluded.
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