2023 Afcon Qualifiers: Nigeria captain Troost Ekong promises win over Sao Tome

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

The captain of Nigeria’s senior men’s national team, Wiliam Troost Ekong has promised a handsome win for the three-time African champions against the Falcons and True Parrots on Sunday.

Nigeria will face their Sao Tome and Principe counterparts in the final Group A encounter for the African Cup of Nations Qualifiers at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital.

The Super Eagles and Guinea Bissau have already qualified for the AFCON taking place next year in Ivory Coast with a game to spare and need a win to top the group on Sunday.

A result Ekong is confident Jose Peseiro’s side can pick at home.

  “Yes, we have already qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire, but we want to win this match for a number of reasons,” Ekong told NFF media.

“We have a new Minister of Sports Development who has hit the ground running. It is good to welcome him with a great win. We also need to sustain a winning mentality ahead of the FIFA World Cup qualifiers starting in November.

“So, we are not going to be taking this game as a dead rubber or whatever people choose to call it. It is another important match as far as we’re concerned.”

Peseiro’s side thrashed Sao Tome and Principe 10-0 in the first leg and are hoping to achieve another big win on Sunday.

Nigeria tops the log with 12 points, two points ahead of Guinea Bissau which will face Sierra Leone.

The team will hope to surpass their Round of 16 placement at the last AFCON in Cameroon.