Super Eagles captain, William Troost-Ekong, and current African Footballer of the Year, Ademola Lookman, have stated that the team is fully prepared for its 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Rwanda on Friday March 21.
Despite past struggles to secure an away victory against the Amavubis, Troost-Ekong insists that the team is focused on the present challenge.
“We read about that in some places but we are not bothered. I was part of the last game in Kigali which ended scoreless, but we know that we cannot afford a draw this time,” the skipper told thenff.com.
He emphasized the team’s unwavering objective. “Our objective is to pick the three points and bring some life back into our campaign,” Troost-Ekong stated. “We are certainly not concerned about history books and what has happened before now. Qualification for the FIFA World Cup is our priority.”
Atalanta forward, Lookman also has shared his thoughts on the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier match against Rwanda on Friday, his first match for Nigeria after winning the 2024 CAF Player of the Year Award.
He stressed that despite the poor start of the team in the qualification series in which Nigeria has only three points and placed 5th in Group C, comprising six teams, there was no pressure in the camp of the Super Eagles.
“No, no any pressure at all. I’m just glad to be back with the squad, back with the guys. We have a big task ahead of us and we’re looking forward to it. We have everything to deliver the three points and we will go straight for it,” Lookman said.
The Super Eagles have to win both games to keep their hopes of making it to that tournament in the United States of America, Canada and Mexico alive.
