2026 World Cup Qualifiers: William Troost-Ekong after the Super Eagles' defeat, "There are many positives to take away"

Nigeria is eliminated from the race for the 2026 World Cup. The Super Eagles were knocked out by the Democratic Republic of Congo on Sunday, but William Troost-Ekong remains positive.

In their journey towards qualifying for the 2026 World Cup, Nigeria finished second in Group C, behind South Africa. This ranking propelled them into the top four second-placed teams. In the playoff semi-finals, Gabon was unable to withstand Nigeria's attacking prowess.

But on Sunday, the task proved too great for the Super Eagles. They lacked the edge to overcome the Leopards and were defeated in the penalty shootout.

Despite this elimination, William Troost-Ekong, the Super Eagles' captain, didn't hide his satisfaction with his team's performance.

"There are many positives to take away. The future of this team is promising. I'm proud of the lads; they gave their all, not just today, but for the past ten months,", the Nigerian defender remarked.

The focus now shifts to upcoming competitions, particularly the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.