In a moment of raw honesty after Nigeria’s emphatic 4–0 victory over Benin in the 2026 World Cup qualifier, Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong admitted that wearing the national shirt “feels heavy.”
The defender’s words struck a deep emotional chord with fans, capturing both the pride and pressure that come with representing a football-obsessed nation of more than 270 million people, Footballrover reports.
Troost-Ekong: “It’s not easy to wear this shirt — it’s very heavy”
Sitting beside coach Eric Chelle after the crucial win in Uyo, Troost-Ekong took a moment to salute his teammates and supporters.
His comment wasn’t just about the jersey’s symbolism — it was about the responsibility of leading a team that has battled criticism, coaching changes, and the weight of expectation throughout the World Cup qualifying campaign.
He said the Super Eagles have endured a “really tough ride,” yet stayed united and hungry.
“It’s not easy to wear this shirt — it’s very heavy,” Troost-Ekong said. “It’s not easy to perform and get the results and make everyone happy. But we’re all trying. Sometimes that’s not good enough, but one thing we can always say about this team is that we always give everything.
It’s easy to celebrate good moments, but these last months have been really tough. We kept believing when many people said it was impossible. We have exceptional players and a special generation. We just need a bit of patience because we’ll continue to improve with time.”
The win over Benin, powered by Victor Osimhen’s hat-trick and a late goal from Frank Onyeka, proved that Nigeria’s fighting spirit remains intact.
Troost-Ekong calls for belief and patience ahead of World Cup play-offs
The captain urged Nigerians to rally behind the squad ahead of the CAF World Cup play-offs, describing the team as “a family still learning to cope with pressure.”
“It’s been an exercise for us these last months. It’s not been easy. We’ve been under pressure from the start — that’s the reality. But the boys are now learning to cope with that pressure.
We’re all happy that we scored many goals today. If we could score four every game, we would — but it’s all part of the process. We have amazing players, and everyone is really working hard.
We just need everyone else to also believe in us now. We already believe in each other. And I think if we have the power and the support from the media and the fans, you’re going to see more special things from this team.”
He highlighted how the group has been through four coaches in the qualifiers but is “improving with time and togetherness.”
Troost-Ekong also praised the younger players for expressing themselves both on and off the pitch, insisting that “football has changed” and fans must “continue to support this new generation.”
“Football has changed over the years. I’ve seen it change in the last 10 years that I’ve been part of this group,” he said. “It’s normal — the guys are enjoying themselves. They don’t behave any differently than when they are at their clubs, and everyone loves them there.
I think it’s time that we continue to support this team. It’s easy to celebrate good moments, but it’s been a really tough ride these last months. That’s down to us, but we’ve come out now and achieved something that many said was impossible.
We have to love the players for their personalities and for expressing themselves. They try to do the same on the pitch. We know the difference between work and when we have time to relax and play. We’re all human beings. If we could play all the games all the time, we would. But it’s not always the case.”
His balanced response to criticism over players’ social-media habits showed leadership and composure — traits that have defined his journey through the campaign.
As Nigeria look ahead to the World Cup play-offs in Morocco, his message lingers: this is a team that understands the burden of the green-white-green, but one ready to carry it with courage.
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