As the Super Eagles of Nigeria face a make-or-break moment in their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign, team captain William Troost-Ekong has voiced confidence in the squad’s determination. The Super Eagles, who have had a challenging run with just one win in six qualifying matches, are preparing for two pivotal games against Rwanda and South Africa.
The first of these crucial encounters is set for Saturday at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo against Rwanda. The match is a must-win for Nigeria to keep its World Cup aspirations alive. Three days later, the team will travel to Bloemfontein to take on Group C leaders, South Africa.
In an interview with NFF TV, Troost-Ekong acknowledged the weight of the upcoming fixtures. “The boys are very focused. We are looking forward to the game on Saturday,” he stated. “Now it’s going to be an important set of games for us… we know the gravity of these games and we will focus on preparation.”
While external factors, such as a possible sanction against South Africa for allegedly fielding an ineligible player, could impact the group standings, Troost-Ekong emphasized the team’s need to control what they can on the field.
The current standings in Group C place Nigeria fourth with seven points, trailing South Africa (13 points), and Rwanda and Benin Republic, who are tied with eight points each. Lesotho is in fifth place with six points, while Zimbabwe is at the bottom with four.
The results of the upcoming matches will be critical for the Super Eagles, who will conclude their qualifying campaign in October with an away game against Lesotho and a home match against Benin Republic.
