It's a long route — Super Eagles captain Ekong ready for playoffs challenge

Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong shared his excitement after the team booked a place in the World Cup playoffs after a disastrous start to their qualification campaign. 

While he maintained that they would have preferred an automatic place by winning their group, he stated that their determination has not waned and that they look forward to the playoffs. 

Nigeria beat the Benin Republic 4-0 to book their place in the playoffs. Ekong was on the bench throughout the game, but he was active on the sidelines throughout, keeping the team's morale high.

“We are quite happy to have that opportunity,” he said, per the NFF website. “It is a long route, but it is a route after all. We would have loved to get the automatic ticket, but it didn’t happen, and we take what we have. 

“For us, we will remain strong and tough and ready to confront every challenge on our way as we search for the ticket to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

“It was a wonderful team effort on Tuesday evening. Everyone contributed; each person played their part. If the other match had gone in favour, we would be with the automatic ticket now. But that’s life. You take what you get and run with it and make the best of it.” 

Meanwhile, Burkinabe defender Steve Yago decried CAF’s changes to the criteria for finishing among the four best second-placed teams, which saw Nigeria finish above Burkina Faso and make the playoffs.