Captain William Troost-Ekong has assured that the Nigerian Super Eagles will give their full effort in the upcoming CAF Play-Off Tournament for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Morocco, following their 4-0 victory over the Bénin Republic in Uyo on Tuesday.

The win secured Nigeria’s place in the play-offs, which precede the intercontinental play-offs in Mexico scheduled for March 2026.

Speaking on Wednesday, Ekong reflected on the team’s performance and the road ahead.
“We are quite happy to have that opportunity. 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 happe,n 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,” he said.

He also praised the team’s collective effort in Uyo. “It was a wonderful team effort on Tuesday evening. Everyone contributed; each person played their part. If the other match had gone in our favour, we would have had the automatic ticket now. But that’s life. You take what you get and run with it, and make the best of it,” Ekong added.

The Super Eagles’ victory featured a hat-trick from Victor Osimhen and a late goal from substitute Frank Onyeka in the 90th minute, sending the team to the CAF Play-off Tournament.

However, Nigeria missed out on automatic qualification from Group C when Rwanda’s Amavubi conceded a late goal to South Africa, echoing a similar scenario in 2005 when Angola advanced to the FIFA World Cup at Nigeria’s expense.

In the upcoming play-offs, Nigeria will face Gabon’s Palancas Negras on Thursday, 13 November, in what is described as the ‘first semi-final.’

Cameroon and the Democratic Republic of Congo will contest the ‘second semi-final’ on Friday, 14 November. The two winners will meet on Sunday, 16 November, with the victor advancing to the Intercontinental Play-offs in Mexico.

At the intercontinental stage, six teams, including 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 Jamaica, Costa Rica, and Panama, will compete for two World Cup berths.

Ekong’s comments underline Nigeria’s determination to navigate the challenging play-off route and secure a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.