Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong showed once again why he commands so much respect among Nigerian fans and in the Super Eagles squad.

For over a decade, Ekong has been one of the reliable players in the Super Eagles backline, and recently, he has carried the weight of leadership, often stressing the importance of learning from the past.

In a viral video making the rounds, the central defender was captured prostrating before Nigeria legend Nwankwo Kanu as the 1996 Olympic gold medalist visited the national team camp ahead of their World Cup qualifier against Rwanda in Uyo.

Ekong 🇳🇬🥹🥹🥹🥹 pic.twitter.com/NxUgJzY5ne

— @𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗷𝗼𝗯𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗯𝗼𝘆 (@OneJoblessBoy) September 8, 2025

The gesture, deeply rooted in Nigerian tradition, was more than a sign of respect and has drawn admiration from many supporters who hailed the former Watford defender.

Ekong, who was benched for the game, was seemingly tapping wisdom from one of Nigeria’s living legends ahead of the make-or-break clash that Nigeria ended up winning 1-0 thanks to Tolu Arokodare's lone goal.

Nigeria is seeking a return to the FIFA World Cup after missing out on the previous edition in 2022, and having legends like Kanu playing a supportive role could be the booster the Super Eagles need to get the job done.

Respect for the legends

Kanu’s influence in Nigerian football history is unquestionable, as he is one of the most respected ex-internationals.

From Atlanta ’96 to his glittering club career in Europe, the former Arsenal forward has been ever-present in the national team, motivating players before a big game.

🚨🇳🇬 Kanu Nwankwo and Victor Ikpeba were among the Nigerian contingent who arrived in South Africa for tomorrow’s game. pic.twitter.com/YJFWwwOClR

— Ghana Naija Ballers (@GHNaijaBallers) September 8, 2025

For Ekong and members of the Super Eagles squad, having Kanu in camp before such a crucial fixture against South Africa provided an emotional boost for the players.

What’s at stake for the Super Eagles?

The Super Eagles head into their clash with South Africa on Tuesday knowing that anything less than victory could end their World Cup dream, Vanguard reports.

Nigeria sit third in Group C with 10 points, trailing leaders South Africa, who have collected 16 points from seven matches. Benin currently occupy second place with 11 points, as seen on FIFA.com.

The Bafana Bafana, under Hugo Broos, have built momentum with back-to-back wins and remain unbeaten in their last three home games.

In contrast, Nigeria’s inconsistency has left fans frustrated, with only two victories in their last five qualifiers.

Tuesday’s game in Bloemfontein is not just another qualifier, it is the battle that could define Nigeria’s road to the 2026 World Cup.