NewsOnline Nigeria reports thatSuper Eagles captain, William Troost-Ekong, has called on his teammates to draw inspiration from Saudi Arabia’s qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, describing it as a powerful example of hard work, determination, and belief.
In his monthly Captain’s Column for the Saudi Pro League website, the Al-Kholood defender said he hopes Nigeria can show similar spirit and resilience as they prepare for next month’s crucial World Cup play-off against Gabon in Rabat, Morocco.
“Although our journey continues, I hope my teammates and I can draw motivation from Saudi Arabia’s achievement and compete alongside them on the world stage next summer,” Troost-Ekong wrote.
Nigeria will face Gabon on November 13 in the first semi-final of the CAF play-offs at the Olympic Stadium in Rabat. The winner will advance to the final against either Cameroon or DR Congo on November 16, with a place in the inter-confederation play-offs up for grabs.
Reflecting on recent performances, Troost-Ekong expressed pride in Nigeria’s progress and praised the team’s renewed sense of belief.
“October gave us plenty to be proud of. Nigeria advanced to the play-off stage of the qualifiers, keeping our 2026 dreams alive,” he said. “Returning to South Africa to face Lesotho gave us the perfect chance to respond positively. I converted a penalty to give us the lead, and we went on to win 2–1.”
He also highlighted Victor Osimhen’s hat-trick in the comeback victory over Benin Republic as a key turning point that reignited the nation’s hopes, while commending Frank Onyeka’s late goal that sealed Nigeria’s place in the play-offs.
“The stadium erupted when Frank Onyeka struck in the dying moments to seal the win,” Troost-Ekong noted. “It was a proud team performance — a reminder of Nigeria’s footballing heritage, resilience, and exceptional talent.”
The Super Eagles skipper further applauded Saudi Arabia’s national team, who became the first Asian side to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, describing their success as a reflection of the country’s growing football culture and commitment to nurturing homegrown talent.
“Credit must go to Saudi Arabia for booking their ticket to the 2026 World Cup — their seventh appearance in history,” he said. “Their qualification inspired a football-loving nation and reinforced the importance of investing in local players, a passion well understood across Africa, especially in Nigeria.”
