Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong has rejected claims that the Nigerian national team is too dependent on the goal-scoring prowess of striker Victor Osimhen. Osimhen’s impressive return to the team was highlighted by his two-goal performance, which propelled Nigeria to a 2-0 victory over Rwanda in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier on Friday.
The match marked Osimhen’s highly anticipated return to the World Cup qualifiers, following his absence from the previous four games. During his absence, the team struggled to find their footing, failing to secure a single win in the qualifiers. However, with Osimhen back in the lineup, the team’s fortunes seemed to change, sparking concerns that they rely too heavily on his individual brilliance.
Troost-Ekong, however, disagrees with this assessment, emphasizing the team’s collective strength and resilience. While acknowledging Osimhen’s crucial contributions, the captain stressed that the team’s success is not solely dependent on the striker’s performances. As the Super Eagles continue their World Cup qualifying campaign, they will aim to demonstrate their depth and versatility, proving that they are more than just a one-man team.
He totally downplayed suggestions that the team is overly reliant on Victor Osimhen, emphasizing the collective effort and teamwork that drives their success. Despite Osimhen’s impressive two-goal performance against Rwanda, Troost-Ekong stressed that the team’s victories are a result of a collaborative effort.
Speaking at a pre-match press conference ahead of Nigeria’s clash with Zimbabwe, Troost-Ekong highlighted the contributions of every player in the Rwanda game. “When the team plays well together, every individual shines,” he said. “Even if you look at the Rwanda game, you have to highlight more than just Victor Osimhen’s performance. Almost every player played their role, the substitutes contributed, and even players who featured out of position made an impact.”
Troost-Ekong rejected the notion that the team relies on a single player, emphasizing the importance of teamwork and collective effort. “There are different factors at play, so I don’t think it’s fair to say we rely on one player – that’s not the mentality of the team,” he said. “We work hard together, we support each other, and when we do that, we achieve more as a team.” By emphasizing the team’s collective strength, Troost-Ekong underscored the Super Eagles’ commitment to working together to achieve success.
