Super Eagles captain, William Troost-Ekong
With the highly anticipated clash set for Tuesday, reports indicate that the Zimbabwean government has promised each player a staggering $150,000 (approximately N300 million) as a reward for defeating Nigeria. This massive incentive is aimed at boosting their morale and inspiring them to pull off an upset against the Super Eagles.
However, in a firm response, Troost-Ekong made it clear that such financial motivations will not shake the Super Eagles’ resolve. He emphasized that Nigeria’s ambition to return to the World Cup stage, particularly after missing out on the 2022 tournament in Qatar, remains their primary driving force.
Speaking at Kigali International Airport before the team’s departure to Uyo on Saturday, the experienced center-back addressed the media and issued a strong statement regarding Nigeria’s mindset heading into the game.
“We read somewhere that the Zimbabweans are being motivated with big bonuses to come to Uyo and get a result. They should forget it,” Ekong declared confidently.
Troost-Ekong, one of the few players in the current squad who featured in Nigeria’s last World Cup appearance in 2018, underscored the fact that many of his teammates are yet to experience football’s biggest tournament and are determined to fight for their place on the world stage.
“We are highly motivated by our ambition to qualify for the FIFA World Cup. Apart from myself, Alex Iwobi, and perhaps a couple of other players who were part of the 2018 World Cup squad, this generation of Super Eagles is hungry to play at the highest level,” he stated.
He further highlighted that qualifying for the World Cup is not just about national pride but also about personal ambition for every player in the squad.
“We want to make Nigeria proud and at the same time, do ourselves proud. Missing out on the last World Cup was a painful experience, and we do not want to go through that again. Every match in these qualifiers is a battle, and we are ready to give everything to ensure we secure our place in 2026.”
Nigeria’s qualification hopes received a major boost following their crucial 2-0 victory over Rwanda in Kigali on Friday. The win moved the Super Eagles up to fourth place in Group C with six points, just one point behind Rwanda and four points adrift of group leaders South Africa.
A victory against Zimbabwe on Tuesday will elevate Nigeria to nine points, significantly strengthening their chances of securing a World Cup ticket. The Super Eagles will also be hoping for a favorable result in the match between South Africa and Benin Republic, which could further enhance their position in the qualification standings.
With the team fully focused, the players motivated, and the stakes higher than ever, the Super Eagles are determined to rise to the occasion and continue their journey toward the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
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