Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong has urged Nigerians to rally behind the national team after they clinched a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup playoffs, describing the qualification journey as one of the most challenging in recent years.

According to Gossip News Now, the Super Eagles sealed their playoff ticket following an emphatic 4-0 victory over the Cheetahs of Benin Republic at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on Tuesday night.

The win capped off an impressive end to the qualifying round, with Nigeria recording three wins and a draw in their last four matches.

Although sidelined during the game, Troost-Ekong commended his teammates for their resilience and unity, noting that the squad overcame significant obstacles to reach this stage.

“I think it’s time that we continue to support this team. It’s easy to celebrate good moments, but it’s been a really tough ride these last months. That’s down to us, but we’ve come out now and achieved something that many said was impossible,”
— William Troost-Ekong told reporters in Uyo.

The experienced defender, who played a key leadership role throughout the qualifiers, encouraged fans to maintain their belief in the team as they gear up for the crucial playoff matches.

Nigeria will now face strong opposition from other African contenders such as Gabon, Cameroon, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, with only a limited number of World Cup slots up for grabs.

Should the Super Eagles advance from the CAF Playoffs—scheduled to take place in Morocco in November—they will then compete against five teams from other continents (excluding Europe) for the remaining two places at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.