Nigeria’s Captain, William Troost-Ekong, Reflects on the Significance of Winning the Africa Cup of Nations Trophy”
The prospect of lifting the Africa Cup of Nations trophy holds profound significance for both William Troost-Ekong and the entire nation of Nigeria.
Troost-Ekong describes it as an “amazing” moment, recognizing the immense pride and joy it would bring not only to himself but also to the people of Nigeria.
The journey to the final has been marked by adversity and hard-fought victories, exemplified by the Super Eagles’ tense penalty shootout win over South Africa.
This triumph has propelled them to the championship match against tournament hosts Ivory Coast, scheduled for Sunday in Abidjan
Nigeria’s qualification for the final represents a significant milestone, marking their first appearance in the AFCON final since their title-winning campaign in 2013.
As the Super Eagles prepare to compete for glory, Troost-Ekong and his teammates are acutely aware of the historic opportunity before them.
Their quest for victory is fueled by the desire to honor Nigeria’s rich footballing heritage and inspire future generations of players.
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Ekong said:
“You dream about moments like that.”
“I’ve seen it so many times. And I’ve closed my eyes.
To actually be there on Sunday and have the chance to do that will be amazing.”
Nigeria were not among the leading contenders for the trophy before the finals,
given their lacklustre showing in their opening two qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup and their position as the sixth-best team in Africa according to Fifa’s world rankings.
However, the Super Eagles have been the top-ranked side at the tournament since the end of the last 16, where holders Senegal, Morocco and record seven-time champions Egypt all exited.
Nigeria manager Jose Peseiro says he has always had faith in his side, who were the top scorers in qualifying for the finals with 22 goals.
Peseiro Reveals:
“When I signed the contract, I said I want to win the Afcon.”
“Either way, I don’t know if everybody believed or not. I have believed since the first moment.
“We haven’t won nothing until now – we want to win the Afcon.”
