With Nigeria’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification hopes hanging in the balance, Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong has issued a rallying cry, exuding confidence in both his teammates and head coach Éric Chelle ahead of their crucial Group C showdown against Rwanda.
Speaking at the official pre-match press conference, just before the team’s final training session in Kigali, the no-nonsense center-back made it clear that Nigeria is ready to fight for all three points in what has now become a must-win encounter.
“We Have One of the Best Attacks in the World” – Ekong
Troost-Ekong didn’t mince words when assessing the quality of Nigeria’s frontline, which boasts some of the most feared attackers on the continent.
“I think we have one of the best attacking forwards in the world, not just in Africa,” Ekong declared confidently. “Every team in Africa is difficult to play against, especially away from home. We respect Rwanda, and we have prepared thoroughly for them. I’m happy to hear that they believe they can handle our team. If that’s their mindset, we will see tomorrow on the pitch.”
Nigeria’s frontline—led by the deadly Victor Osimhen, Victor Boniface, and Ademola Lookman—will have to be at their sharpest against a resolute Rwandan defense, especially given the Super Eagles’ recent struggles in the qualifiers.
“A New Era Under Coach Chelle – We Believe”
Addressing the team’s adaptation to new head coach Éric Chelle, Troost-Ekong insisted that the squad is fully behind the Malian-born tactician, despite the limited time to absorb his philosophy.
“There’s a new level of focus in the camp. All the players respect the coach, and we’ve seen what he achieved with his previous team,” Ekong stated.
“We are trying to understand, as quickly as we could, in three training sessions, what is expected of us. It’s a work in progress, and hopefully, it will be a continuous growth. But this first game will be a test, straight away, maybe quite early in us working together. Like I said, I have full confidence in the team, and the team has confidence in the coach, and I think vice versa.”
“We Can’t Change the Past, But We Can Fight for the Future”
With Rwanda ahead of Nigeria in the Group C standings, the Super Eagles find themselves in an unfamiliar position—playing catch-up in a qualification race where only the group winner secures an automatic World Cup ticket.
“Now, it’s just left for us to execute and do the job. I know that Rwanda will be in the same situation; they will also be motivated to show themselves to the coach. And, like you said, they are ahead in the World Cup qualifications. We can’t change the past, but we have a chance to do better tomorrow,” Ekong concluded.
Do or Die in Kigali
The stakes couldn’t be higher for Nigeria. Win, and the dream stays alive. Lose, and World Cup qualification could slip further away.
With 90 minutes to define their campaign, will the Super Eagles rise to the occasion? Kigali awaits the battle.
