Super Eagles captain, William Troost-Ekong, has declared that the ticket to the 2025 AFCON in Morocco is not yet secured, but the team has started well in the qualifiers and is on course to deliver it, Completesports.com reports.
The three-time African champions ground out a hard-earned 1-0 win against the Mediterranean Knights of Libya in Friday night’s Group D matchday three tie at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo.
Dele Tom Bashiru’s late strike earned Nigeria all three points, as Augustine Eguavoen’s men sit top of the group standings with seven points, one point ahead of second-placed Benin Republic, who pounded Rwanda 3-0 in Ivory Coast on the same Friday.
Also Read – AFCON 2025Q: Simon Speaks On Super Eagles’ Win Over Libya, Benina Battle
Troost-Ekong was pleased with the maximum points but quickly added that the AFCON 2024 qualification party is not yet done and dusted for the Super Eagles, as they still have more to play for to achieve their objective.
“It’s nice to win the game and remain top of the standings. But, of course, it isn’t over yet. Not a done deal,” Troost-Ekong began after the West Africans were forced to battle hard for the win.
“It is never dusted, but I think it’s a good start for us. Libya came here trying to get a point. They played really defensively. It would have been in their favour if they had got that point.
“We’re a team that should be winning all games, especially when we play at home, but today, we were made to go the hard way. Overall, the three points are very important to us.”
Troost-Ekong is now looking forward to Tuesday’s reverse fixture in Libya, stressing that he expects the Libyans to come out to play, thereby opening up the game.
The Super Eagles had a light training session on Saturday afternoon at the nearby Ikot Ekpene Township Stadium.
They are scheduled to leave for Libya on Sunday in a chartered flight ahead of the return leg of the double-header fixture, which takes place on Tuesday at 9pm Libyan time (8pm Nigerian time).
By Sab Osuji in Uyo
2 Comments
Hey guys go there and shine…
WE SHOULD STOP CELEBRATING FLUKE WINNING.
WE DEFEATED IVORY COAST 1-0 IN AFCON GROUP STAGE BY PENALTY and we are celebrating fluke winning,
WHERE AS UNKNOWN SMALL TEAM, EQUATORIAL GUINEA DEFEATING THEM (IVORY COAST) 5-0 EASILY.
SUPER EAGLE TEAM IS NOT A TEAM WE CAN BOAST OF FOR FUTURE.
*** OR IS THERE ANY NIGERIA FANS THAT CAN TRULY BOAST OF THE TEAM THAT THEY CAN QUALIFY FOR WORLD CUP WITH THIS KIND OF ATTITUDE OF PLAY ????.
COMMON RWANDA THAT WILL STRUGGLE TO PLAY DRAW WITH THEM LAST TIME, WERE BEATEN 3-0 BY ORDINARY BENIN REPUBLIC.
***WHAT A SHAME!!!!!!!!