Nigerians have to forgive him - Nigeria’s third-all-time highest goalscorer pleads on Ekong's behalf

Nigeria's hopes for the 2026 World Cup were dealt a blow after the Super Eagles drew 1-1 with Zimbabwe on Tuesday.

Victor Osimhhen gave the Eagles the lead in the second half after finding it hard to break down Zimbabwe in the first half.

However, Zimbabwe equalised as a result of Tawanda Chirewa taking advantage of Ekong's momentary lapse in concentration and slipping past him to score.

Nigeria’s third all-time highest goalscorer asked Nigerians to forgive the defender after he apologised for his mistake.

Troost-Ekong has reassured fans that the team remains focused on securing a spot at the 2026 World Cup and has apologised to his teammates.

Odegbami said in his Vanguard column, “William Troost-Ekong has since apologised for that poor decision, and Nigerians have no choice but to forgive him.”

Odegbami implored Nigerians to pardon the defender and recognise his decade of service to the national team despite the censure he has received.

The Super Eagles face a challenging task in qualifying for the World Cup, as acknowledged by the former Super Eagles star.

He continued, “The bottom line is that Nigeria had no business letting victory slip through their hands with only a few minutes of the match to go. 

“It was a very painful end to what was otherwise a match they had under their control until they scored and, thereafter, went to sleep.

“The silence around the Uyo Township Stadium and around the country as a whole, after the match, spoke loudly about the gloom that has since settled over Nigerians.

“Last Tuesday was a ‘bad’ day at the market for the Super Eagles. The country would need more than prayers and a miracle to still make it to the 2026 World Cup.”

Nigeria's hopes of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup are now in jeopardy after a loss that leaves them in fourth place, six points behind South Africa.