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The captain of the Nigerian senior national team, William Troost-Ekong, stated that he would have been one of Nigeria's penalty takers during Sunday’s match against DR Congo.
However, the 32-year-old was unable to participate in the shootout as he remained on the bench throughout the match.
The Super Eagles lost 4-3 on penalties to DR Congo, which ended their hopes of competing in the 2026 World Cup in Mexico, the US, and Canada.
Troost-Ekong is the Super Eagles’ designated first-choice penalty taker.
Fans have also expressed that players like Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman might have successfully scored their penalties had they been on the field until the end of the match.
When asked if he felt disappointed for not being brought on during the second half of extra time to take a penalty, he responded, “No, I don’t think I was. I wasn’t frustrated; I just want to win this game by any means necessary.”
“As I mentioned, my role is to support the team as much as I can, both on and off the pitch. As you may have noticed, there’s a strong sense of togetherness.”
“Of course, if I had been on the pitch, I would have taken one, but it was also a valuable opportunity for the other players to gain that experience.”
“This experience will benefit them in their careers and for the future of Nigerian football.”
Out of Troost-Ekong’s eight goals for the Super Eagles, four have been scored from the penalty spot.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Troost-Ekong on the bench during the penalty shootout?
Troost-Ekong remained on the bench throughout the match and did not participate in the shootout.
What did Troost-Ekong say about his role in the team?
He emphasized that his role is to support the team as much as possible, both on and off the pitch, and that he values the experience gained by other players.
How many penalty goals has Troost-Ekong scored for the Super Eagles?
Troost-Ekong has scored four out of his eight goals for the Super Eagles from the penalty spot.
