Kigali, March 21, 2025 – Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong has expressed the team’s full confidence in head coach Eric Chelle to devise a winning strategy as Nigeria takes on Rwanda in their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier. Chelle, who was appointed in January, will lead the three-time African champions for the first time against Adel Amrouche’s Rwanda at the Amahoro Stadium, Kigali, on Friday. “Players Want to Prove Themselves” – Troost-Ekong Speaking at a pre-match press conference, Troost-Ekong emphasized that the squad is focused and eager to impress under the new manager. “We have new ideas, and whenever you have a new manager, it’s always a situation where players want to prove themselves to the coach—they want to give their best. “There is a new level of focus. All the players respect the coach very much. We’ve seen what he achieved with his previous team, and we are trying to understand as quickly as we can in three training sessions what he expects from us.” Super Eagles Seek First Win in World Cup Qualifiers The Super Eagles are yet to register a win in their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign, making this fixture a crucial test for Chelle’s tenure. Troost-Ekong remains optimistic about securing a positive result. “It’s a work in progress, and hopefully, it will be a continuous growth. This first game will be a test straight away, even this early in our time working together. “I have full confidence in the team, the team has confidence in the coach, and it’s left for us to execute and do the job. I know Rwanda will be in a similar situation—they will be motivated to impress their new coach.” The Super Eagles will aim to make a strong statement in Kigali as they continue their quest for a place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Super Eagles Captain Troost-Ekong Backs Chelle Ahead of Rwanda Clash
