Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong has praised the team’s strong mindset and determination as Nigeria gears up for two pivotal 2026 World Cup qualifying matches against Rwanda and South Africa, according to PUNCH Sports Extra.
With only one win in their last six qualifiers, the Super Eagles face mounting pressure as they prepare to welcome Rwanda to the Godswill Akpabio Stadium this Saturday. A victory is crucial to maintaining their World Cup ambitions, before a tough away match against South Africa’s Bafana Bafana just three days later.
Nigeria’s qualification prospects for the World Cup—set to take place in the USA, Canada, and Mexico—could also be influenced by a possible points deduction for current group leaders South Africa. The Bafana Bafana risk penalization after fielding an ineligible player against Lesotho in March.
Despite those outside factors, Troost-Ekong is urging the squad to stay focused on what they can control: winning their remaining fixtures to secure progression on their own terms.
Discussing the magnitude of the challenge ahead, the captain emphasized the need for total focus, starting with this weekend’s encounter against Rwanda.
“The whole squad is really focused. We’re looking forward to Saturday’s match,” Troost-Ekong shared in an interview with NFF TV.
“This run of fixtures is vital for us. The importance of each game, starting on Saturday, isn’t lost on anyone—we are putting maximum effort into our preparation.”
Presently, the Super Eagles sit fourth in Group C with seven points after six rounds, trailing group leaders South Africa by six points, who have amassed 13.
Rwanda is second with eight points—level with Benin Republic—while Lesotho is close behind with six, and Zimbabwe is at the bottom with four.
While Rwanda will face Zimbabwe, who are currently last in the group, the Super Eagles have the daunting task of traveling to Bloemfontein to take on South Africa.
Looking further ahead, Nigeria concludes their qualification campaign with away and home fixtures against Lesotho and Benin Republic in October. The coming weeks promise decisive and hard-fought battles for a coveted World Cup ticket.
