Super Eagles Captain William Troost-Ekong has assured Nigerians that the team is fully prepared to secure victory in their crucial World Cup qualifier against Benin Republic on Tuesday.
Speaking during a post-match press conference, the 32-year-old defender emphasized the players’ determination to reach the 2026 FIFA World Cup, stressing that their focus and mentality remain strong despite the mounting pressure.
“We have a team of guys who have a winning mentality,” Ekong said. “We want to be at the World Cup. We’ve said that now for the last nine months and we still have an opportunity with the game that we’ll be playing in Uyo.”
Ekong acknowledged that the match against Benin would be a challenging test, but one that the Super Eagles are well prepared for.
“Of course, playing against Benin, we know that we have to score a certain number of goals,” he explained. “It was always the case that we have to win the game, and we have to do so basically. It’s going to be a big test again, but now, I think the team is really ready because we’ve been working on the pressure now for such a long time, and we all know this is the final.”
The defender also praised his teammates for their commitment and unity throughout the qualification campaign.
“We worked very hard to get there and, like the coach said, I’m also very proud of the team. We keep believing until the very end, and we’ll speak again on Tuesday night.”
Nigeria will host Benin Republic at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, where fans are expected to turn out in large numbers to back the team in their must-win clash.