Super Eagles Captain William Troost-Ekong insists the team will “work very hard” for Nigeria’s World Cup Qualification despite their precarious position ahead of the crucial match against Benin Republic

Super Eagles Captain William Troost-Ekong has delivered a rallying cry, stating that the team will “work very hard” to secure their spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Following a tense 2-1 victory over Lesotho on Friday, which saw Ekong score the opener, Nigeria’s World Cup Qualification hopes are alive, but their fate is complex.

Nigeria currently sits third in Group C with 14 points, trailing leaders Benin Republic (17 points) and second-placed South Africa (15 points).

The Uyo Final: A Must-Win Scenario
The Super Eagles face a decisive encounter against the Benin Republic in Uyo this Tuesday. Troost-Ekong acknowledged the high stakes and the immediate need for a commanding performance:

“We just have to focus on ourselves. We have a winning mentality, we want to be at the World Cup… We know we have to score a certain number of goals. We have to win the game convincingly.”

The captain stressed that despite the anxiety, the team is focused solely on their task. “We have been working under pressure for a long time. This is the final for us, and we will work very hard to get there. We will keep believing until the end.”

Complex Path to Automatic Qualification
For Nigeria’s World Cup Qualification to be automatic, the Super Eagles must not only defeat Benin convincingly to overcome their current goal difference deficit but also rely on the result of the other Group C match, hoping South Africa fails to beat Rwanda in Mbombela.

The victory over Lesotho, secured by second-half goals from Troost-Ekong and debutant Akor Adams, was crucial. Now, with the final group match looming, the Super Eagles have departed for Uyo, carrying the weight of the nation’s expectations.

Tuesday promises to be an intense day of football, with the results determining which team secures the single automatic ticket to the global showpiece in the USA, Canada, and Mexico. The message from Ekong is clear: the Super Eagles are ready for the fight.