Nigeria’s Captain William Troost-Ekong Concedes Responsibility for Super Eagles’ Defeat
The Super Eagles’ 2-1 loss to Rwanda in their final 2025 AFCON qualification match was a tough pill to swallow, and Captain William Troost-Ekong was the first to acknowledge his team’s shortcomings.
The match at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo started on a high note for the Nigerian side, with Samuel Chukwueze scoring a brilliant individual goal to put the Super Eagles ahead 1-0.
However, the tide of the game turned dramatically as the Nigerian defense struggled to contain the Rwandan attackers. Two quick goals were conceded, the first from a well-executed free kick and the second from a lapse in defensive coordination.
Troost-Ekong, who played as a centre-back in the match, was visibly disappointed with his team’s defensive performance. He took responsibility for not being able to organize and lead the backline effectively, saying that he must ensure the team’s defense is solid.
In his post-match press conference, Troost-Ekong acknowledged that the team had some moments of skill and resilience, but set pieces like free kicks can be challenging for any team. He emphasized that he takes responsibility for the team’s mistakes, saying, “As captain and the last man at the back, I know we should have done better. I must ensure our defence is solid, and we fell short today.”
