Captain of the Super Eagles William Troost-Ekong has expressed optimism and determination ahead of Nigeria’s 2026 World Cup qualifier against Rwanda on Friday.
Speaking about the team’s preparation, Ekong noted that spirits are high in camp, and all the players are “fired up” for the challenge ahead. He acknowledged the difficulty of the task but emphasised that they are ready to give their best.
Nigeria currently occupy fifth position in Group C of the Africa 2026 World Cup qualifying series. The Super Eagles have been winless in all four of their World Cup qualifiers – three draws, one loss.
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Ekong also shared his thoughts on working under new head coach Eric Chelle. He noted the importance of adapting to the coach’s philosophy and instructions ahead of the match.
“We’re very happy to work with the new coach. He’s given us a lot of new instructions, so for us, it’s just to make sure that we understand what he wants from us on Friday,” he said.
The Al-Kholood of Saudi Arabia defender, who once played for Watford and Udinese, further stated that Chelle has been “very clear on what he wants from us, what he’s expecting,” which has helped the team focus on their tactical approach.
The experienced defender also spoke about the magnitude of the match and the need to approach it with the right mindset. He emphasised that the team is trying to be “very objective” in how they prepare, ensuring they focus on the key areas needed to secure a win. Acknowledging Rwanda’s strong position in the group, he added, “Of course, we have to respect them for their position on the table.”
Beyond the game itself, Ekong recognised the massive support and expectations from Nigerian fans, calling them both the team’s biggest supporters and toughest critics. “We have 230 million plus Nigerians. They’re going to be our biggest fans and biggest critics,” he admitted, but he assured that the team is well aware of the pressure and ready to handle it.
Four days after the Rwanda encounter, Nigeria will play Zimbabwe in Uyo in another World Cup qualifier. The team will be hoping to grab maximum points from both encounters to bolster their chances of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.
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