Nigeria skipper William Troost-Ekong said the Super Eagles are desperate for a victory ahead of Friday's 2026 World Cup qualifying match against Rwanda.

"We are here for one job. I think everybody knows how important this game is for us, we want to win, and we need to win," Troost-Ekong said in the press conference on Thursday evening, 20 March.

Troost-Ekong emphasized that they have the utmost respect for Rwanda, noting that Amavubi put up a strong challenge against them in their most recent meetings.

"Rwanda is a good team, we faced them a few times now in the last two years, and every time they showed their level, so we respect them. We know it's not going to be easy to be here, but I have a big confidence in our team."

"We have the new coach, the understanding of the tactics will be the key thing for us now."

Amavubi, who have a new coach – Adel Amrouche, the Algerian manager who was named on 2 March, will host Nigeria at Amahoro Stadium on Friday at 6 p.m. Kigali time.

Rwanda accumulated four points from their previous two meetings against the Super Eagles.

They are currently at the top of Group C in the 2026 World Cup African Qualifiers, sitting on seven points from four games after chalking up two triumphs – against South Africa and Lesotho – drawing against Zimbabwe, and defeated by Benin.

Nigeria are fifth in Group C with just three points from four games, having failed to register any victory so far.

Troost-Ekong admits they have pressure on the team as they have not sealed a win in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers despite boasting "one of the best-attacking players not only in Africa but also in the world."

However, he noted that they regard this pressure as a privilege.

"This pressure is a privilege, whenever I have this badge on my chest it means so much to me. The only pressure that we have is within because we want to prove to everybody that we can do better and we should be at the World Cup."

"I think every team in Africa is difficult to play against. We respect Rwanda, and I'm happy to hear that they believe they can handle our team, if that's their preparation, then we will see tomorrow."

Nigeria appointed Eric Chelle as their head coach in January, and Troost-Ekong believes that there won’t be any issues adjusting to a new coach because he is a high-profile one, adding that their upcoming game against Rwanda will serve as "a test" for their start under the Malian coach

"Of course, we have new ideas, and I think whenever you have a new manager for both teams, it's always a situation that players want to prove themselves and show themselves to the coach. All the players respect the coach very much, we've seen what he did with the previous team, and I know that Rwanda will be in the same situation."