Captain William Troost-Ekong has conveyed a positive outlook as the Super Eagles gear up for the CAF Play-Off Tournament, a crucial step toward qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Morocco next month.
Following their commanding 4-0 triumph over Benin Republic, which secured their spot in the playoffs, Ekong recognized the hurdles ahead but emphasized the squad’s unwavering resolve to capitalize on this chance, despite missing out on direct qualification.
“We’re grateful for this opportunity. The road has been long, but it’s still a path forward. Naturally, we aimed to qualify automatically, but since that didn’t materialize, we’re focused on making the most of the situation. Our mindset remains firm, resilient, and prepared to tackle every obstacle as we pursue our place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup,” Ekong stated.
“Tuesday’s match was a true collective effort. Every player stepped up and contributed. Had the other game gone in our favor, automatic qualification would have been ours. But that’s the nature of football-you take what comes and push forward, making the best out of it.”
In a standout performance in the Akwa Ibom State capital, Nigeria recorded their best result of the qualifying campaign. Victor Osimhen dazzled with a hat-trick, while substitute Frank Onyeka sealed the victory with a goal in stoppage time, propelling the three-time African champions into the CAF Play-Off Tournament.
Despite this impressive display, the Super Eagles narrowly missed out on direct qualification from Group C. Rwanda’s Amavubi faltered at a critical juncture, falling to South Africa’s Bafana Bafana in Nelspruit. This scenario echoed the 2005 qualifiers when Rwanda needed only a draw against Angola in Kigali but conceded late, nullifying Nigeria’s emphatic five-goal win over Zimbabwe and allowing Angola to reach their inaugural FIFA World Cup finals.
In the upcoming CAF Play-offs, Nigeria will face Gabon’s Palancas Negras in the first semi-final on Thursday, 13th November. The following day, Cameroon will meet the Democratic Republic of Congo in the second semi-final. The winners of these matches will compete in the final on Sunday, 16th November, with the champion advancing to the Intercontinental play-offs scheduled for March in Guadalajara and Monterrey, Mexico.
The International Play-off Tournament will feature six teams vying for two coveted spots: the African qualifier, 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.
