Ahead of Nigeria’s AFCON 2025 qualifying match against Benin Republic on Friday, Captain William Troost-Ekong has expressed confidence in his side and believes they have all it takes to secure qualification for the showpiece event.
The Super Eagles need a single point from their remaining two games to seal qualification for the continental event and Ekong believes his teammates are up to the task against the Cheetahs.
“The last time we played against Benin Republic we won 3-0”, he said. “I know Benin is a good team, Gernot Rohr was my coach with the national team for five years, he knows the team very well, I’ve played against Benin several times and it was difficult. But I think here especially in this stadium, where we had some amazing memories of the AFCON this year, we will be very ready.”
Nigeria are top of Group D with 10 points from 4 games and are two points ahead of their Thursday’s opponent. A draw will ensure Austin Eguavoen’s side play in the competition next year. Ekong said the team feels comfortable in Ivory Coast.
“We feel at home in Abidjan and I’m confident we can do the job and qualify by winning tomorrow and that’s what we’ve had to do but we know it’s going to be a difficult game but we have to be in our best. What I’ve seen so far in training in camp we will be very ready for the game tomorrow.”
“Ivorians can’t afford to be on outside because we made it very difficult for them but at the end they went away happy. The condition are perfect for us we’ve been training well and we can look forward to the game”, he continued.
The last encounter in Abidjan between these two teams ended in a 2-1 comeback victory for Benin Republic in a 2026 FIFA World cup qualifying match.
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