Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong has called on his teammates to carry the momentum of past successes into the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying campaign.
Nigeria host Benin on September 7 to begin their qualifying campaign for the next AFCON tournament, three months after they lost to the same opponents in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Troost-Ekong, one of three Nigerian players available for selection after missing the March and June international windows, emphasised the need to maintain a winning mentality as the team prepares for their upcoming match.
Speaking ahead of the clash, he stressed the importance of aiming for qualification for the tournament in Morocco and starting the campaign on a strong note with Saturday's game.
William Troost-Ekong highlights team spirit for Nigeria vs Benin
Addressing the press at Friday’s presser, William Troost-Ekong expressed confidence in the Super Eagles' mentality and focus, urging his teammates to approach the match with determination and a winning mindset.
“I think it is always a big privilege to be here again,” he said. “We're very excited about this new campaign. I think there's a need to be reminded of how much joy we had only months ago in the last AFCON and in the years leading up to qualify.
“This is our biggest idea or message to the team as well, so we want to make sure that we will be there again in Morocco. That journey starts today.
“It will be a long journey, but we did it last time, and we want to do even better. That begins with winning games and qualifying for the tournament.
“The mood has been very good, very focused. Just walking up to the press conference now, I was telling our boys that they have the right mindset, and from what I’ve seen from training so far, I liked it. So, I expect us to do well on Saturday. Everything is moving in the right direction.”
