‘We’re ready for every challenge’ – Troost-Ekong hits back at Aubameyang ahead of World Cup play-off showdown
Nigeria captain William Troost-Ekong has responded with confidence to Gabon’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in the build-up to next month’s high-stakes World Cup playoffs, declaring that the Super Eagles will be ‘ready for any opponent.’
Aubameyang had earlier expressed his determination to guide Les Panthères to their first-ever World Cup appearance, saying, “We want to go to the World Cup and, to get there, we have to win games.
“I’m very motivated, and when you have the chance to go to the World Cup, you have to be even more motivated.”
The Marseille forward’s comments appear to have set the stage for an early psychological contest between the two captains ahead of the decisive clash in Morocco.
Nigeria will face Gabon on Thursday, November 13, 2025, in the CAF Play-Off Tournament for a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The African winner will move on to the Intercontinental Playoffs in Mexico next March, joining five other teams to compete for the final two World Cup slots.
Troost-Ekong, speaking after Nigeria’s 4–0 triumph over Benin in Uyo, said the players remain focused despite missing an automatic qualification.
“We are quite happy to have that opportunity. It is a long route but it is a route after all.
“We would have loved to get the automatic ticket but it didn’t happen and we take what we have. For us, we will remain strong and tough and ready to confront every challenge on our way as we search for the ticket to the 2026 FIFA World Cup,” he affirmed.
He credited Nigeria’s commanding win — sealed by a Victor Osimhen hat-trick and a Frank Onyeka strike — to teamwork and resilience.
“It was a wonderful team effort on Tuesday evening. Everyone contributed; each person played their part,” Troost-Ekong added.
The win, however, was not enough for an automatic berth after South Africa’s 3–0 victory over Rwanda altered the standings.
Nigeria must now go through the playoffs, where they face Gabon in the first semi-final, while Cameroon and DR Congo contest the other.
Winners will meet in the final on November 16, with only one nation securing passage to the intercontinental stage.
