Ojokojo Torunarigha, the father of Super Eagles prospect Jordan Torunarigha, has expressed concerns over the fitness of national team captain William Troost-Ekong ahead of Nigeria’s crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. In an interview with Blast FM, as reported by SCORENigeria, the former Nigerian international claimed that Ekong was not in peak physical condition to play in the upcoming matches against Rwanda and Zimbabwe.
Torunarigha argued that Ekong’s inclusion in the squad was primarily due to his captaincy, despite being injured. He suggested that Ekong’s lack of fitness played a role in Nigeria conceding a goal against Zimbabwe, which negatively affected their World Cup qualification campaign.
These comments have sparked discussions within the Nigerian football community, raising concerns about the national team’s selection process and medical assessments. With Nigeria’s World Cup hopes on the line, critics are calling for more thorough checks on player fitness ahead of crucial matches.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the Super Eagles’ coaching staff have yet to provide an official response to Torunarigha’s claims. However, the controversy highlights the importance of thorough medical assessments and transparency in player selection as Nigeria pushes for a spot in the 2026 World Cup.