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Nigerian skipper William Troost-Ekong spoke to the media ahead of the Super Eagles crunch tie against Rwanda, stating that the team is not worried about the millions of critics but still wants to make everyone proud in the WCQ.
Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong has declared that Nigeria’s national football team has developed resilience to criticism as they prepare for a crucial World Cup qualifier against Rwanda.
Speaking to the media ahead of the match, the skipper brushed off concerns about the intense scrutiny that comes with representing a football-mad nation of nearly 300 million people, insisting that the team thrives under the pressure and remains focused on making the country proud.
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14:55 - 20.03.2025
My hard work has been rewarded - New Super Eagles invitee happy to receive first call up
Tolu Arokodare expressed his happiness at being called up by new head coach Eric Chelle to the Nigerian national team.
PAY ATTENTION: Stay updated with the Latest Soccer News in Nigeria from Pulse Sports
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07:28 - 20.03.2025
5 things Ademola Lookman revealed about Eric Chelle’s Super Eagles revolution
African Player of the Year Ademola Lookman spoke to the media about life under Eric Chelle in the Super Eagles after two training sessions ahead of the decisive 2026 WCQ.
In a video shared on X by renowned journalist Pooja Media, Troost-Ekong revealed his evolution in handling the highs and lows of playing for Nigeria.
“You see me, I have thick skin now,” he said with a calm confidence. “I am used to the insults that come.”
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He acknowledged the dual nature of Nigeria’s massive fanbase, describing them as “close to 300 million critics and supporters,” but emphasised that the team channels this energy into motivation rather than a burden.
The 31-year-old defender, who has been a mainstay in the Super Eagles lineup, elaborated on the squad’s mindset.
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“I think if you want to play for a big country like Nigeria, we have maybe close to 300 million critics and supporters. I think we try to use that as a power,” he explained.
During a team meeting, he reminded his teammates that the weight of expectation is a privilege, not a curse.
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“I said to the players, we had a meeting that this pressure is a privilege. Whenever I have this badge on my chest, it means so much to me, and when you want to do great things with a great team, that’s part of it.”
Troost-Ekong, who now plays in Saudi Arabia, highlighted the squad’s internal strength and unity as key to their approach.
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“If anything, it’s motivating for us. I think we have big characters in the team—you see that there is no extra feeling from outside,” he said.
“The only pressure that we have is from within because we want to prove to everyone that we can do better and that we should be at the World Cup.”
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Dismissing external noise, he stressed that the team’s focus remains on the guidance of their coach and the bond they share as players.
“It only matters what the coach says and what we say to each other,” he added.
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While the Super Eagles are no strangers to criticism, especially after inconsistent performances in recent years, Troost-Ekong made it clear that their ultimate goal is to deliver results for their fans.
“Of course, we want to make our fans proud, but it’s not something that we are worried about,” he concluded.
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With Nigeria’s spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup handing on a thin thread, the captain’s words reflect a team determined to rise above the chatter and let their performance on the pitch do the talking.
The Super Eagles take on Rwanda later today and will look to harness their “thick skin” and turn pressure into power.
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