2026 WCQ Play-off: Captain Ekong vows Super Eagles will fight hard for World cup spot

Super Eagles captain, William Troost-Ekong, has promised that Nigeria will give their all at the CAF Play-Off Tournament for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The tournament will take place in Morocco next month.

Troost-Ekong spoke on Wednesday morning, expressing optimism after Nigeria’s 4-0 victory over Benin Republic in Uyo on Tuesday night.

The win secured Nigeria’s place in the CAF play-offs, which will determine the teams heading to the intercontinental play-offs in Mexico next March.

Super eagles determined despite setback

“We are happy to still have a chance,” Troost-Ekong said. “It’s a long road, but at least we’re still on it. Of course, we wanted the automatic ticket, but things didn’t go that way. We will stay strong and face every challenge ahead as we fight for a place in the World Cup.”

He described the win in Uyo as a perfect team effort. “Everyone played their part. We gave everything, and if the other results had favoured us, we’d already be through. But that’s football. You take what comes and keep moving forward,” he added.

Victor Osimhen stole the show in Uyo, scoring a brilliant hat-trick. Substitute Frank Onyeka also netted a fine goal in the final minute to seal Nigeria’s biggest win of the qualifiers.

Heartbreak as Rwanda collapse again

Despite the convincing win, Nigeria missed out on the top spot in Group C after Rwanda failed to stop South Africa in Nelspruit. The collapse revived memories of 2005 when Rwanda’s late loss to Angola denied Nigeria a World Cup place, despite a 5-0 win over Zimbabwe in Abuja.

Play-off fixtures confirmed

Nigeria will now face Gabon in the CAF Play-off semi-final on Thursday, 13 November. The second semi-final between Cameroon and DR Congo will follow on Friday, 14 November.

Winners of both games will meet in the final on Sunday, 16 November. The victor will then advance to the intercontinental play-offs, set for Guadalajara and Monterrey in Mexico next March.

At that stage, six teams — Africa’s winner, Bolivia, New Caledonia, the Asian play-off winner (Iraq or UAE), and two of Jamaica, Costa Rica, and Panama — will compete for two World Cup tickets.