Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong has expressed the team’s readiness to work with newly appointed head coach, Eric Chelle, as Nigeria faces Rwanda in a crucial 2026 World Cup qualifier in Kigali today (Friday).
Chelle, appointed in January, will oversee his first game as the Eagles’ head coach, aiming to rejuvenate Nigeria’s struggling World Cup qualification campaign. The team, currently in fifth place in Group C with just three points from four games, needs a win to boost its chances of making it to the 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
Speaking ahead of the match, Ekong emphasized the players’ commitment to adapting to Chelle’s tactics and delivering a positive result.
“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 that pressure is a privilege,” Ekong said.
“We are ready to work with the new coach. He’s given us a lot of new instructions, and for us, it’s just about understanding what he wants from us on Friday.”
The Eagles have spent three days training in Kigali, preparing for the decisive encounter. A victory against Rwanda would be a major boost in their quest to revive their qualification hopes, especially after group leaders Benin Republic extended their lead with a 2-2 draw against Zimbabwe on Thursday.
Following the clash with Rwanda, the Super Eagles will return to Nigeria to face Zimbabwe in their next qualifier at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo next Tuesday.
