Nigeria captain William Troost-Ekong has issued a confident message ahead of next month’s crucial World Cup playoffs against Gabon, insisting the Super Eagles will be ‘ready for any opponent,’ Soccernet.ng reports.
Troost-Ekong’s remarks come shortly after Gabon striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang declared his intention to lead Les Panthères to their first-ever World Cup.
The Marseille forward, who missed Gabon’s 2–0 win over Burundi due to a suspension, told The Standard:
“We want to go to the World Cup and, to get there, we have to win games. I’m very motivated, and when you have the chance to go to the World Cup, you have to be even more motivated.”
Nigeria and Gabon will clash in Morocco on Thursday, November 13, 2025, as part of the CAF Play-Off Tournament for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The eventual African winner will advance to the Intercontinental Playoffs in Mexico next March, where six teams will compete for the final two World Cup spots.
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Troost-Ekong: “We’ll stay strong and ready for every challenge”
Troost-Ekong, speaking on Wednesday morning after Nigeria’s emphatic 4–0 victory over Benin in Uyo, said the squad remains determined despite missing out on an automatic qualification spot.
The Al-Kholood of Saudi Arabia captain insists Nigeria will fear no foe when they regroup in Morocco for the playoffs.
“We are quite happy to have that opportunity,” Troost-Ekong pointed out.
“It is a long route but it is a route after all. 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.”
The victory, driven by Victor Osimhen’s hat-trick and a late goal from Frank Onyeka, ensured Nigeria’s place in the playoffs.
However, their automatic hopes were dashed after Rwanda collapsed 3–0 to South Africa in Mbombela, a result that echoed the heartbreak of 2005 when Angola’s late winner denied Nigeria a ticket to Germany 2006.
At the playoffs in Morocco, Nigeria will face Gabon in the first semi-final, while Cameroon battle DR Congo in the other fixture.
Winners will meet in the final on Sunday, November 16, with only one team advancing to the intercontinental playoffs.