Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong has expressed the team’s enthusiasm for working under new coach Eric Chelle as they prepare for their crucial 2026 World Cup qualifier against Rwanda in Kigali today.
Chelle, appointed in January, will take charge of his first match against the Rwandans, with the hope of reviving the team’s ill-fated 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign.
The coach and his 23-man squad for this window’s matches have had three days of training in the Rwandan capital and Ekong believes the players understand the task of easing the pressure on the coach and the team.
“Everything has been good. All the boys are fired up. Of course, we know we have a big job ahead, it comes with pressure but I keep saying to everyone that pressure is a privilege,” Ekong said.
“All the boys are feeling that and we are ready to work with the new coach. He’s given us a lot of new instructions, for us it’s just to understand what he wants from us on Friday (today).
“It’s special when I’m here to have this badge on my chest. Being with the new coach we tried to welcome him as quickly as possible. He’s been clear about what he wants from us and what he’s expecting.”
Nigeria are campaigning in Group C of the qualifying series and they risk missing out on the 2026 World Cup, set to be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, following a disappointing start to their qualifying campaign.
After four matches, the three-time African champions sit in fifth place with just three points, five points behind leaders Benin Republic, who played a 2-2 draw with Zimbabwe on Thursday.
A win against Rwanda, which will be coach Chelle’s first game in charge of the team, will go a long way in reviving the team’s hope – as well as results from other matches.
After facing Rwanda on Friday, the Super Eagles will return home for the second game of this window against Zimbabwe at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo next Tuesday.
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