Super Eagles captain, William Troost-Ekong, has vowed that Nigeria will fight to the last whistle to secure a spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, even though qualification is no longer completely in their hands.

Troost-Ekong, who scored in Nigeria’s hard-fought 2-1 win over Lesotho on Friday in Polokwane, said the team remains focused on their task as they prepare for a decisive clash against the Benin Republic in Uyo on Tuesday.

Nigeria sit third in Group C with 14 points, three behind leaders Benin and one adrift of South Africa. To qualify automatically, the Super Eagles must defeat Benin convincingly and hope South Africa fails to beat Rwanda in Mbombela.

“We just have to focus on ourselves. We want to do better always. We have a team of guys who want to do better. We have a winning mentality, we want to be at the World Cup,” Troost-Ekong said.

“The past nine months have not been easy. Now we have the opportunity with the game in Uyo against Benin Republic. We know we have to score a certain number of goals. We have to win the game convincingly. It is going to be a big test again, and we will be ready,” he added.

Second-half goals from Troost-Ekong and Akor Adams secured Nigeria’s victory against Lesotho, though a late mistake from Stanley Nwabali allowed the hosts to pull one back.

With Benin on 17 points and South Africa on 15, Tuesday’s matches will decide who tops the group and earns the automatic ticket to the World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.

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