“We’ll Give It Our Best Shot,” Ekong Rallies Super Eagles Ahead Of World Cup Play-Offs
By Motunrayo Folarin
Nigeria captain, William Troost-Ekong is optimistic his teammates will do their best at the World Cup Play-Off Tournament which will be taking place next month in Morocco.
The Super Eagles recently crushed Benin Republic 4–0 victory in Uyo on Tuesday, a result that secured Nigeria’s place in the play-off tournament ahead of the intercontinental play-offs set to take place in Mexico next March.
“We are quite happy to have that opportunity.” Troost-Ekong said.
“It is a long route but it is a route afterall. We would have loved to get the automatic ticket but it didn’t happen and we take what we have. For us, we will remain strong and tough and ready to confront every challenge on our way as we search for the ticket to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
“It was a wonderful team effort on Tuesday evening. Everyone contributed; each person played their part. If the other match had gone in favour, we would be with the automatic ticket now. But that’s life. You take what you get and run with it, and make the best of it.”
Nigeria recorded their best result of the campaign on a memorable night in the Akwa Ibom State capital. Victor Osimhen led the charge with a brilliant hat-trick, while substitute midfielder Frank Onyeka sealed the victory with a powerful strike in the 90th minute, sending the three-time African champions through to the CAF Play-off Tournament.
With the result they achieved, the Super Eagles could have secured the automatic qualification spot from Group C. However, Rwanda’s Amavubi once again faltered at a crucial moment, collapsing against South Africa’s Bafana Bafana in Nelspruit. The scene echoed November 2005, when Rwanda only needed a draw at home against Angola to help Nigeria advance, but a late goal from Fabrice Akwa made Nigeria’s emphatic five-goal win over Zimbabwe in Abuja meaningless, sending Angola to their first-ever FIFA World Cup instead.
In the CAF Play-offs, Nigeria will face Gabon’s Palancas Negras in the first semi-final on Thursday, November 13. The second semi-final, between Cameroon and the Democratic Republic of Congo, will follow on Friday, November 14. The two winners will then meet in the final on Sunday, November 16, with the champion advancing to the Intercontinental Play-offs, set to take place in the Mexican cities of Guadalajara and Monterrey in March next year.
At the Intercontinental Play-off Tournament, six teams will compete for two World Cup spots. The contenders include Africa’s play-off winner, Bolivia, New Caledonia, the winner of the Asian play-off between Iraq and the United Arab Emirates, and two teams from the trio of Jamaica, Costa Rica, and Panama.