Super Eagles captain, William Troost-Ekong, has acknowledged that Sunday’s FIFA World Cup Africa Playoff Tournament final against the Democratic Republic of Congo will be a formidable test but insists Nigeria has what it takes to triumph at the Complexe Sportif Prince Moulay El Hassan.
Nigeria and DR Congo—two African football giants with five continental titles between them—will battle for a place in the Intercontinental Playoffs, where two additional tickets to the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be contested. The global showpiece will hold in Mexico in four months.
Speaking on Saturday, Ekong admitted the magnitude of the challenge ahead.
“There is no doubt that the Congolese will be a big challenge. They got here because they are tough and ambitious, and also want to go to the World Cup,” he said.
However, the defender expressed confidence in Nigeria’s squad depth and motivation.
“We have a large group of players here, 24 of them, out of which only about four of us have been to the World Cup. There is that adrenaline in their system to go to the World Cup, and I see it as a big motivation for us to conquer on Sunday.”
Ekong, Alex Iwobi, Wilfred Ndidi, and Chidozie Awaziem are the only players in the current team who featured at Russia 2018.
Coach Éric Chelle will have to guard against Congo’s dangerous forward line, which includes La Liga’s Cédric Bakambu, France-based Nathaniel Mbuku, former Russia U21 winger Theo Bongonda and Egypt-based striker Fiston Mayele. The Congolese midfield will be marshalled by Premier League star Noah Sadiki and Spain-based Charles Pickel, while the experienced Aaron Wan-Bissaka and captain Chancel Mbemba anchor the defence, with Mbemba set for his 101st international appearance.
All 24 Nigerian players are available for selection, including Iwobi, who is poised to earn his 91st cap, and Moses Simon, who will make his 87th appearance.
Reflecting on Nigeria’s journey, Ekong added:
“We would have preferred to have taken the automatic ticket, but it didn’t work out. Now, we are here and we have a second chance, and we do not intend to bungle it.”
