Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong has described the prospect of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup as a dream, urging his teammates to stay focused and avoid mistakes ahead of Nigeria’s crucial CAF World Cup playoffs in Morocco.
The experienced defender, one of the few players in the current Super Eagles squad with previous World Cup experience, featured at the 2018 edition in Russia where Nigeria exited at the group stage.
“Playing at the World Cup for the second time would be a dream,” the Rio 2016 Olympic Games bronze medallist told Olympics.com ahead of the CAF playoffs in Morocco.
“In 2018, I fulfilled my childhood dream at just 23. Now, with more experience and maturity, I’m ready to lead this exciting generation of talent and go beyond what we achieved before.”
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The Al Kholood centre-back reflected on the team’s journey to the playoffs, admitting it had not been easy but emphasising that Nigeria still has a strong chance to secure qualification.
“We were disappointed not to qualify directly. The first five rounds were tough, and we had to play catch-up. But reaching the playoffs is still a significant achievement,” he shared.
Nigeria face a stern test in their playoff opener on Thursday, 13 November, against Gabon, a side led by veteran striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Troost-Ekong, who has come up against the former Arsenal forward in Saudi Arabia, is not taking the challenge lightly.
“Gabon is a strong team. Aubameyang continues to lead from the front, causing problems for defenders. I’ve played against him in Saudi Arabia, and I know what he brings. In Africa, you can’t underestimate any team, and we certainly won’t do that with Gabon.”
Should Nigeria progress, they will face either Cameroon or the Democratic Republic of Congo in the final playoff on 16 November, with the winner advancing to the Intercontinental Playoffs in March 2026.
Troost-Ekong remains confident that the team’s spirit and togetherness will make the difference in Morocco.
“We’ve built great chemistry, and the mindset in camp is positive. Although preparation time is short, we’re focused. It’s a one-off game on neutral ground, and we know we must win to reach the final playoff. There’s no room for error.”
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