Captain of the Nigerian senior national team, William Troost-Ekong has said he would have been among Nigeria’s penalty takers in Sunday’s game against DR Congo.

However, the 32-year-old could not participate in the shootout having sat on the bench throughout the game.

The Super Eagles were beaten 4-3 on penalties by DR Congo thereby putting to an end their dreams of playing the 2026 World Cup in Mexico, US and Canada.

Troost-Ekong is the Super Eagles’ designated first-choice penalty taker.

Fans have also argued that the likes of Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman should have scored their penalties had they remained on the pitch till the end of the game.

The former Watford defender was asked if he was disappointed not to come on during the second half of extra time to take one of the spot kicks, and he told the reporter, “No, I don’t think I was. I wasn’t frustrated, I just want to win this game anyhow.

“Like I said, my role is to support the team as much as possible on the pitch, off the pitch, and as you would have seen, there’s a lot of togetherness.

“Of course, if I would have been on the pitch, I would have taken one, but it was also time for the other boys to get that experience.

“It’s going to serve them well in their careers and also for the future of Nigerian football.”

Four of Troost-Ekong’s eight goals for the Super Eagles has come from the penalty spot.