National Teams
William Troost-Ekong dismisses dependence on Osimhen, emphasizes teamwork
By: Monsurah Olatunji
Nigeria captain William Troost-Ekong has downplayed suggestions that the Super Eagles are overly reliant on star striker Victor Osimhen following his two-goal performance in their 2-0 victory over Rwanda in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
Osimhen, who marked his return to the qualifying series with a brace, was pivotal in securing Nigeria’s first win of the campaign.
However, Troost-Ekong has been quick to highlight that the strength of the team lies in its collective effort rather than individual performances.
Speaking at a pre-match press conference on Monday, Troost-Ekong emphasized the importance of teamwork and the contributions of every player, not just the standout names.
“When the team plays well together, every individual shines, even if you talk about the Rwanda game,” Troost-Ekong said.
“I think you have to highlight more than Victor Osimhen’s game. I think there is almost every player that you can say played their role.
“Players who came off the bench and also helped out in the training session, including players who played out of position like Yusuf (Alhassan).”
The Super Eagles boast a squad filled with talent, including the likes of African Footballer of the Year Ademola Lookman, who also provides significant firepower alongside Osimhen.
Troost-Ekong added, “There are different factors. So I don’t think it’s right to say we rely on one player because that is not the mentality of the team.
“We work hard together, and we try to make everyone comfortable, and when we do that, we achieve more as a team.”
