I would have taken one - Ekong confirms he was slated for a Penalty against DR Congo

Nigeria's captain, William Troost-Ekong, has revealed he would have stepped up to take a penalty in the shootout against DR Congo had he been on the pitch.

The Super Eagles' hopes of reaching the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Mexico, and Canada were dashed after they fell 4-3 on penalties to DR Congo on Sunday.

Troost-Ekong, the team's designated first-choice penalty taker, remained on the bench for the entire match.

The 32-year-old defender was unable to participate in the decisive shootout, a situation that has sparked debate among fans.

When asked if he was disappointed about not being brought on during extra time specifically for the shootout, Troost-Ekong dismissed any personal frustration.

"No, I don't think I was. I wasn't frustrated; I just wanted to win this game, no matter how," he told reporters.

He added, "My role is to support the team as much as possible, both on and off the pitch. As you would have seen, there's a lot of togetherness."

The former Watford player affirmed his readiness to take responsibility while also highlighting the importance of giving other players opportunities to gain valuable experience in high-pressure moments.

"Of course, if I had been on the pitch, I would have taken one. But it was also time for the other boys to get that experience,” he added.

Troost-Ekong has a proven track record from the penalty spot, with four of his eight international goals for the Super Eagles coming from penalties.