William Troost-Ekong, the captain of Nigeria, has said that the Democratic Republic of Congo will be a tough opponent in the FIFA World Cup Africa Playoff Tournament final on today, Sunday. However, he assured that the Super Eagles have what it takes to win at the Complexe Sportif Prince Moulay El Hassan.
The two countries, who have five African titles between them, are playing in a high-stakes game to see who will represent Africa in the Intercontinental Playoffs for two additional spots at the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals. According to Sunday PUNCH, that competition will happen in Mexico in four months.
“There is no doubt that the Congolese will be very hard to deal with.” Ekong said yesterday afternoon that they got here because they are tough and want to go to the World Cup.
“We have a lot of guys here, 24 of them, but just four of us have been to the World Cup (in 2018). They are excited to go to the World Cup, and I think that is a significant reason why we should win on Sunday (today).
The only players on the current team that were on the team that went to Russia in 2018 are Ekong, Alex Iwobi, Wilfred Ndidi, and Chidozie Awaziem.
Coach Éric Chelle’s team needs to be careful of a number of dangerous players on the Congo squad, such as Cédric Bakambu, who plays in Spain, Nathaniel Mbuku, who plays in France, Theo Bongonda, who used to be a star for Russia U21, and Fiston Mayele, who plays for the Pyramid of Egypt.
Noah Sadiki from the English Premier League and Charles Pickel from Spain will play in the middle of the field. Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who is more of an attacking player, will head a strong defense that also features captain Chancel Mbemba, who is excited to get his 101st cap.
Chelle can choose from all 24 of his players, including Iwobi, who will be playing in his 91st game, and Moses Simon, who will be playing in his 87th game. Ekong noted that everyone on the team is focused on winning on Sunday night.
“We would have liked to have taken the automatic ticket, but it didn’t work out. We are here now and have a second chance, and we don’t plan to mess it up.
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