Nigeria’s captain, William Troost-Ekong, has admitted that the Democratic Republic of Congo will be a mountain to climb in Sunday’s final of the FIFA World Cup Africa Playoff Tournament, but assured that the Super Eagles have the ammunition to prevail at the Complexe Sportif Prince Moulay El Hassan.

Both countries, who share five African titles between them, clash in a high-stakes game that will produce Africa’s representative at the Intercontinental Playoffs for two more slots at the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals. That tournament will take place in Mexico in four months.

“There is no doubt that the Congolese will be a big challenge. They got here because they are tough and ambitious, and also want to go to the World Cup,” Ekong said on Saturday afternoon.

“However, we have a large group of players here, 24 of them, out of which only about four of us have been to the World Cup (in 2018). There is that adrenaline flowing in their system to go to the World Cup, and I see it as a big motivation for us to conquer on Sunday.”

Ekong, Alex Iwobi, Wilfred Ndidi and Chidozie Awaziem are the only members of the present squad who were part of the squad to Russia 2018.

Coach Éric Chelle’s ensemble must beware of a number of predators in the Congo squad, including Spain-based Cédric Bakambu, France-based Nathaniel Mbuku, former Russia U21 star Theo Bongonda and Pyramid of Egypt’s Fiston Mayele.

English Premiership’s Noah Sadiki and Spain-based Charles Pickel are to hold in midfield, whilst the attack-minded Aaron Wan-Bissaka leads a compact defence that also includes captain Chancel Mbemba, who is looking forward to his 101st cap.

Chelle has all his 24 players available for selection, including Iwobi, who will be winning his 91st cap and Moses Simon, who will collect his 87th, and Ekong said the entire group is focused on emerging victorious on Sunday evening.

“We would have preferred to have taken the automatic ticket, but it didn’t work out. Now, we are here and we have a second chance and we do not intend to bungle it.”

Noni Madueke has spoken candidly about his challenging start to life at Arsenal and his relationship with the fans.

The 23-year-old swapped West London for North when he joined Arsenal from Chelsea for a reported fee of £48.5 million.

Arsenal fans were outraged by the deal at the time, with over 5,000 supporters signed a petition titled ‘#NOTOMADUEKE’, urging the club to sign a different winger.

Speaking to the club’s in-house media team, Madueke opened up on the culture at the club and his relationship with the fans.

“It’s not just a team full of great and talented players, it’s a team full of good people,” he said. “And I think the culture around here is probably the best I’ve seen.

“In terms of the supporters, it was a bit dicey at the start, on social media and stuff before I came to the club,” he continued. “But when I’ve been in the stadium, I haven’t felt that close to fans, to be honest.

“Obviously I play on the side of the pitch so I can hear them throughout the game, pushing me on whenever I get the ball, I hear them. So, God willing, that continues, because it gives me a big, big, big boost.

“I always love playing at the Emirates, I’m always looking forward to the next game where I’m back at the Emirates.”

England boss Thomas Tuchel has offered his clearest indication yet of the midfield pairing he favours for next year’s World Cup.

Tuchel has plenty if options at the centre of the park as England prepare for next year’s World Cup in North America.

Since the start of the season, Declan Rice and Elliot Anderson have been his preferred duo, starting England’s last five games.

Speaking after their 2-0 qualifier win over Serbia on Thursday, the German manager has stated that the two are ahead of the others in his pecking order.

“Elliot and Declan are at the moment ahead in midfield,” he said.

“They are a very good pair and complement each other very well. They are performing at the highest level for club and country.

“Biggest complement to both of them. We took Declan out (of the last match) after 65 minutes to have the chance to play again, Elliot played 90 minutes and it is his first season to play international games as well as for Nottingham Forest, he is a key player there too.”