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Troost-Ekong: I Would Have Taken a Penalty if I Was on the Pitch
Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong reflects on Nigeria’s World Cup playoff loss to DR Congo, praising the team’s effort and revealing he would have taken a penalty if he was on the pitch. He highlights lessons learned, young players’ growth, and looks ahead to AFCON 2026.
Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong says he would have stepped up for one of Nigeria’s penalties in Sunday’s decisive clash against DR Congo—if he had been on the pitch at the time.
Nigeria’s dream of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup came to an end after a tense playoff loss to DR Congo, leaving the squad and technical crew visibly shattered.
Speaking to reporters after the match, the captain opened up about the emotional weight of the defeat while stressing that the team had much to be proud of.
“We’re devastated as a team. I’m really proud of the boys. These are moments full of emotion. The boys gave it everything. It’s not just this game, but the games before, the last 10 months. We went out fighting. It wasn’t good enough today, but there’s still so much positive to take from here. There is AFCON around the corner. This experience will make these players better, and if they face that situation again, they’ll be more ready,” Troost-Ekong said, reflecting on their journey.
He expressed confidence that the team’s younger players had gained crucial experience that could be vital for Nigeria’s future World Cup push.
Troost-Ekong also commented on the penalty shootout that ultimately decided Nigeria’s fate, praising Stanley Nwabali for his bravery.
“Credit to Stanley, he was amazing and made great saves. It takes big character to stand up and take that moment for your country,” he said.
Addressing his own role in the shootout, the 32-year-old defender said he held no frustration about not being subbed on for penalties.
“I wasn’t frustrated. I just wanted to win anyhow. My role is to support the team, on and off the pitch. Of course, if I would have been on the pitch, I would have taken one, but it was also time for the other boys to get that experience. This was a chance for other boys to gain experience, and it will serve them well in their careers and for Nigerian football. They stepped up, and they will learn from this moment. Next time, they’ll be better prepared and hopefully make the difference.”
The Super Eagles, led by coach Eric Chelle, will now shift focus to the 2026 AFCON scheduled to take place from December 2025 to January 2026 in Morocco.
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