The former captain says the team needs a backbone around its talent, and backs Eric Chelle’s long-term appointment.
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Former Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong says the national team needs consistency from the top down if it is to compete at the highest level. The 33 year old, who played for Watford, said that applies to the NFF, the coaching staff and the players.
Nigeria have missed the last two World Cups and made an uneven start to their 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign. They beat Madagascar 2-1 at home and then lost 3-0 to Guinea-Bissau.
What He Said
He told beIN SPORTS that “the talent is there in abundance,” but he sees uncertainty about how things are prepared for the team. He wants a clear and stable structure around the squad.
He said Nigeria can’t rely on talent alone, and that gaps covered over the years will be exposed over time without the right structure. He called the structure and backbone around the team essential. Fans following the national team can check the YOHAIG Bet9ja opening offer before the next window.
Chelle and the Competition
Troost-Ekong called appointing Eric Chelle for the long term a great decision. He pointed out that Chelle also leads the Olympic team, so he understands the young players coming through.
He also warned that the level across African football keeps rising, which means Nigeria must give themselves the best chance to win. He hopes stability under Chelle will help the team take qualifiers seriously from the start.
That is a pointed message after a slow qualifying start. New bettors following the Super Eagles can read Bet9ja’s promo code in simple steps.
What Comes Next
Nigeria play Russia in a friendly at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium on Tuesday, October 6, their first match since the loss in Bissau.
Four qualifiers remain: a November double-header against Tanzania, then Madagascar away and Guinea-Bissau at home.
Fans who want to back their forecast can make Super9ja picks for Nigeria’s friendly. Will the structure Troost-Ekong wants show up in Chelle’s team in November?
📌 Did You Know?
- Nigeria are three time African champions, having won the Africa Cup of Nations in 1980, 1994 and 2013.
- They took bronze at the 2025 tournament in Morocco.
- They lost the World Cup play-off final to DR Congo 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in Rabat.
- The two Tanzania qualifiers in November are played within four days of each other.
- Madagascar are nicknamed the Barea, and Guinea-Bissau are known as the Djurtus, or Wild Dogs.
