Troost-Ekong: Super Eagles Ready to Give 2026 World Cup Play-Off Their All



Super Eagles captain, William Troost-Ekong, has assured Nigerians that the national team will give their all in next month’s CAF Play-Off Tournament for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, scheduled to take place in Morocco.

Speaking on Wednesday morning, the experienced defender expressed optimism following Nigeria’s emphatic 4–0 victory over Benin Republic in Uyo on Tuesday — a result that confirmed the team’s place in the CAF play-offs, the final stage before the intercontinental qualifiers in Mexico next March.

“We are quite happy to have this opportunity. It’s been a long road, but it’s a path we must take,” Troost-Ekong said.
“We would have loved to secure the automatic ticket, but that didn’t happen. Still, we’ll stay strong, remain focused, and give our best to overcome every challenge on our way to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.”

Reflecting on the team’s dominant performance, the Super Eagles skipper praised his teammates’ commitment and unity.

“It was a wonderful team effort — everyone contributed and played their part. If the other result had gone our way, we’d already be celebrating qualification. But that’s football — you take what you get and make the best of it,” he added.

On a night of redemption in Uyo, Victor Osimhen stole the spotlight with a breathtaking hat-trick, while Frank Onyekasealed the win with a 90th-minute strike.

Despite the resounding victory, Nigeria fell short of automatic qualification after Rwanda’s Amavubi crumbled against South Africa’s Bafana Bafana in Nelspruit — a painful déjà vu for Nigerian fans. The situation evoked memories of November 2005, when Rwanda’s late collapse at home to Angola cost Nigeria a place at the 2006 World Cup, despite a 5–1 win over Zimbabwe in Abuja.

According to the official CAF draw, Nigeria will face Gabon’s Palancas Negras in the first semi-final on Thursday, 13 November, while Cameroon will take on DR Congo in the second semi-final on Friday, 14 November.

The winners of both fixtures will clash in the final on Sunday, 16 November, with the victor advancing to the intercontinental play-offs in Mexico next March.

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