National Teams
“I Have a Lot of Belief in Super Eagles” – Troost-Ekong Speaks on Afcon ties
By Wale Mustapha
William Troost-Ekong, captain has voiced strong confidence in his teammates as they prepare for their opening matches in the 2025 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying campaign.
Nigeria is set to host the Cheetahs of Benin Republic on Saturday at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo before traveling to Kigali for their clash against the Amavubi of Rwanda.
As the three-time AFCON champions look to regain their form, Troost-Ekong is optimistic about their prospects despite recent challenges.
The Super Eagles have struggled since their runner-up finish at the AFCON tournament in Ivory Coast, having failed to secure a win in their last three matches due to errors and misjudgments. However, Troost-Ekong, who is making his return to the squad since the last AFCON, believes the team is well-prepared to address these issues.
“We will be more ready. I think it happens—good teams face difficult moments,” Troost-Ekong stated. “We also have to give respect to Benin and our former coach Gernot Rohr. Like I said, this is one of those things that we are better prepared for now and, if anything, even more motivated.”
Troost-Ekong emphasized the importance of learning from past mistakes and expressed unwavering faith in the team’s ability to perform well. “We have to learn from those mistakes, so it is not going to be easy in these two games against Benin and Rwanda away, but I have a lot of belief in the team and we are going to prepare ourselves the best way we can,” he added in an interview with Victor Modo, which was monitored on YouTube.
As the Super Eagles look to kickstart their AFCON qualifying campaign with strong performances, Troost-Ekong’s confidence and leadership will be crucial in guiding the team through these challenging fixtures.
