Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong shared his optimism for Nigeria’s upcoming AFCON 2025 qualifier against Benin Republic, expressing confidence during a pre-match press conference.
The seasoned defender, formerly with PAOK, emphasized the team’s successful record at Abidjan’s Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium, where they have already triumphed in several key matches this year.
The Super Eagles defender, who was recently awarded for his brilliant performances in the last edition of the AFCON, noted that Nigeria’s recent experiences on the stadium’s pitch—including three victories earlier in the year, such as “1-0 wins over Guinea-Bissau and Angola and a 2-0 victory over Cameroon”—have boosted their confidence.
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These wins set a solid foundation for the Super Eagles to chase a fourth consecutive victory, edging them closer to AFCON qualification.
Reflecting on Nigeria’s last encounter with Benin, Troost-Ekong recalled, “The last time we played against Benin was in October, if I’m correct, and we won at home.”
Troost-Ekong speaks ahead of Nigeria's match against Benin.#AfrosportTV #AFCON2025Q #AfricanFootball pic.twitter.com/zjIIuaTdPI
— AfroSport (@AfroSportTV) November 14, 2024
Acknowledging the quality of Benin’s side, he highlighted the familiarity with their former coach, Gernot Rohr, adding, “He knows our team very well.
We’ve played against Benin multiple times, so we know it will be a challenging game.” However, he sees the venue as an advantage, adding, “Especially in this stadium, we have amazing memories from earlier this year.”
Troost-Ekong Eyeing AFCON Qualification
Determined to continue their strong form, Troost-Ekong emphasized the Super Eagles’ readiness and confidence: “We’ll be very ready. We feel at home here in Abidjan, and I’m confident we can do the job and qualify by winning our game tomorrow. That’s what we’re going out to do.”
The Super Eagles will take on Rohr’s squad tonight at 20:00 Nigerian time, aiming to replicate their recent 3-0 success over the Cheetahs and secure qualification for AFCON 2025.
