Super Eagles’ captain, William Troost Ekong has opined that Saturday’s game against Benin Republic will mark the beginning of a ‘new era’ for the Nigerian national team.
The match at Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo will kick start Nigeria’s campaign in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, with Ekong and his colleagues set to be led out by ex-international defender, Augustine Eguavoen as interim coach.
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Sports247.ng was present as Ekong declared that he and his colleagues are happy to be back in the national camp, though with a new coach in charge, and declared that they are aiming for better joy than what they got after winning silver at the last AFCON in Ivory Coast.
“It’s always a big privilege to be in the national camp, and we are very excited about this new campaign.
“Everyone does not need to be reminded about how much joy we had at the last AFCON and the days after that. Our biggest message now as a team is that we want to do it again in Morocco.
“It’s going to be a long journey, but, what we did last time out, we want to do even better this time.
“We have to start it by winning games to help us qualify for the tournament,” Ekong affirmed.
The sturdy centre-back, who recently sealed a transfer from PAOK Saloniki of Greece to oil-rich Saudi Arabia, further assured that everyone is happy in the Eagles’ camp, and added that the mood is encouraging.
The lad with a Dutch mother and Nigerian father stressed, “The mood has been good, and we are very focused.
“The boys are in the right mindset, and what I’ve seen so far in this camp, I’ve really liked it all. Everything is going in the right direction.” He concluded with sweet words about the presence of former Super Eagles’ captain, Augustine Eguavoen, as returnee interim coach of the side, which he pointed out adds more to the new aura radiating round the squad.
“Having a new leader for this process is a good opportunity. We are fortunate that it’s somebody who knows us and can treat us well.
“No big surprises or many things we have to adapt to. We just have to carry on from where we were, and we have to do better,” Ekong submitted.
He will now aim to get victory on his return to the squad, after missing out the last time against the same opponent, who won their 2026 World Cup qualifier 2-1 on June 10.
