Nigeria plays better without William Troost-Ekong – Sunday Oliseh

Former Nigeria captain Sunday Oliseh is concerned about William Troost-Ekong’s recent performance for the national team, urging his exclusion from the starting lineup ahead of the 2026 World Cup playoffs.

The Super Eagles missed out on automatic World Cup qualification, and are set to participate in a four-nation continental playoff to determine their fate for the global showpiece next year.

According to Oliseh, Nigeria plays better without their captain and has suggested his exclusion from the starting lineup heading into the World Cup playoffs.

“If we want to have a bright chance of going to the World Cup, Troost-Ekong has to be put on the bench,” Oliseh stated on his YouTube channel. “It’s as simple as that. You get to play for the Super Eagles based on the results you bring in.”

Oliseh stressed that sentiment should play no role in squad selection, urging Chelle to focus purely on merit. He noted,

“If you look at the last three or four games we played, the two matches Troost didn’t feature in, we didn’t concede a goal… The reality is very simple, you don’t go into a game as a manager looking at sentiments. You play the best players.”

“I’m saying it clearly, drop the captain and let him take a break… The team needs it, the psychology of the group needs it. At the moment, we play better when our captain isn’t on the pitch.”

The West African football heavyweights will face Gabon in the playoff semifinal on November 13, with the final slated for November 16.