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Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong has applauded Lesotho’s spirited display while reaffirming Nigeria’s resolve to complete their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign on a high note.
Speaking at a post-match conference following Nigeria’s narrow 2–1 win over Lesotho on Friday, the 32-year-old Al-Kholood defender described the encounter as tough and praised the opposition for their effort.
“Lesotho played a great game; it wasn’t easy to come here. I can understand their disappointment and frustration because they put up a perfect fight,” Ekong said.
Looking ahead to the crucial fixture against the Benin Republic, the Super Eagles captain stressed the team’s determination to deliver a commanding performance.
“Playing against Benin Republic, we know we have to score goals — that’s the mindset we need to go in with. But it’s always been the same: we must win, and we must win convincingly,” he stated.
Despite growing pressure, Ekong insisted that the team is both mentally and physically ready for the task ahead.
“It’s going to be another big test, but I think the team is really prepared. We’ve been working on managing pressure since the start of the qualifiers, and this is the final push. We’ve worked hard to get here,” he said.
Ekong also admitted that the players have been under immense pressure since March, but remain focused on securing a spot at the World Cup.
“These kinds of games aren’t easy. The coach has reminded us that the pressure has been on since the beginning of the qualifiers, but we’ve kept our focus,” he added.
Reflecting on the post-match atmosphere, the captain described the team’s determination and hunger for success.
“We stayed in the dressing room for a while because there was some frustration. We always want to do better. We’re a team of winners — we want to be at the World Cup, and we’ve said that for the last nine months. Now, we have that chance.”
