Nigeria captain William Troost-Ekong has revealed he would have stepped up for one of the spot kicks in the Super Eagles’ decisive penalty shootout defeat to DR Congo, had he featured in the match.
The 32-year-old watched the entire World Cup playoff from the bench as Nigeria suffered a 4-3 loss on penalties, ending their hopes of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
Troost-Ekong, who serves as Nigeria’s primary penalty taker, was unavailable for the shootout after head coach Eric Chelle opted not to introduce him during extra time. The decision has sparked widespread debate, with many fans arguing that experienced players like Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman might also have converted their penalties if they had still been on the field.
Responding to questions about whether he felt disappointed or frustrated with the decision to remain on the bench, Troost-Ekong said he only wanted the team to succeed.
“No, I don’t think I was. I wasn’t frustrated, I just want to win this game anyhow.
Like I said, my role is to support the team as much as possible on the pitch, off the pitch, and as you would have seen, there’s a lot of togetherness.
Of course, if I would have been on the pitch, I would have taken one, but it was also time for the other boys to get that experience.
It’s going to serve them well in their careers and also for the future of Nigerian football.”
Troost-Ekong remains one of Nigeria’s most reliable finishers from the spot, with four of his eight international goals scored via penalties. His absence during the shootout added to the disappointment of many supporters who had hoped his composure and experience would tilt the tie in Nigeria’s favour.
The Super Eagles will now shift their focus to rebuilding ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, scheduled for December, as they aim to restore confidence after missing a second consecutive World Cup.
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