There is one thought that has followed William Troost-Ekong throughout the FIFA World Cup.

What if Nigeria had been there?

As one of the country’s most respected footballers and a former captain of the Super Eagles, Troost-Ekong has watched Africa continue to make its mark on football’s biggest stage with equal measures of pride and frustration.

Pride because African football continues to prove it belongs among the world’s elite.

Frustration because he firmly believes Nigeria should have been part of that story.

“I think the motivation has always been there,” Troost-Ekong says.

“All of us are incredibly eager to see Nigeria back at the World Cup, and missing out again only increases that desire.”

“I would have loved to see Nigeria there because, when you watch the African teams performing so well, you cannot help but think Nigeria would also have put in a strong performance.”

“Looking at the quality and talent within the squad, I believe they would have been ready. Many of the players have matured, and some also gained valuable experience at the 2018 World Cup.”

Former Nigeria captain William Troost-Ekong in action against Argentina. Credit: Getty Images.

It is not bitterness that comes through in his voice, but belief.

Belief that one of Africa’s footballing giants has the talent to compete with the very best.

Belief that missing consecutive World Cups should become the catalyst for meaningful change rather than another painful chapter.

“It would have been wonderful to see them compete, but I also think this serves as an important lesson,” he says.

“We need to reflect on our preparation and identify what needs to change in order to reach the next level ahead of the next World Cup.”

“The players will continue working hard, sharing ideas, and doing everything possible to improve.”

“I have never felt there was a lack of motivation or commitment from the players. I simply believe there are several areas that need to change, and this time those changes will be essential if the team is to succeed.”

While Nigeria’s absence still hurts, Troost-Ekong has found plenty of reasons to smile watching the continent’s representatives continue to challenge the traditional powers.

The former captain believes the gap between Africa and Europe and South America has never been smaller.

Former Nigeria captain William Troost-Ekong in action. Credit: Getty Images.

In fact, he believes this  tournament is where African football takes another historic leap forward.

“I think so,” he says when asked whether this is Africa’s breakthrough World Cup.

“At the last World Cup, Morocco broke down those barriers and showed everyone what is possible.”

“Based on what we have seen so far in this tournament, many African teams, players, and individual performances have demonstrated that they can compete with the very best in the world.”

“I am very hopeful that this could be the World Cup where an African team goes even further than Morocco did. If they reach that stage, hopefully they can go all the way.”

His faith in Morocco national football team remains unwavering.

With Morocco preparing for a blockbuster Round of 16 clash against France national football team on Thursday, 9 July (22:00 CAT), Troost-Ekong believes they once again carry the hopes of an entire continent.

“Morocco is definitely the first team that comes to mind,” he says.

“Senegal and Ivory Coast both did exceptionally well too until their eliminations, and they were a bit unlucky.”

Football fans across Africa will be hoping his prediction proves correct.

Former Nigeria captain William Troost-Ekong in action.. Credit: Getty Images.

The Morocco-France showdown promises to be one of the biggest matches of the tournament, with a place in the quarter-finals at stake, and viewers can watch every moment live on SuperSport.

As the official broadcaster of the FIFA World Cup across sub-Saharan Africa, SuperSport is bringing fans all 104 matches live, making this the most accessible FIFA World Cup ever, with comprehensive coverage available across television, streaming and digital platforms so that supporters never miss a moment of the world’s biggest sporting spectacle.

Away from the football, Troost-Ekong has embraced a different side of the tournament during his time as part of SuperSport’s world-class broadcast team.

Instead of arriving as an opponent focused solely on training sessions and matchdays, he has been able to experience South Africa in a way he never could during his playing career.

“I have really enjoyed it,” he says.

“It has been great being part of the SuperSport team and meeting some amazing current and former players.”

“Although it has been a little colder than I am used to, I have had a fantastic time. It is also the first time in many years that I have been in South Africa without being here as a player.”

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“When you are playing, you are naturally a bit more restricted in terms of what you can and cannot do. This time, I have been able to take everything in and experience some of the best parts of South Africa whenever I have not been working.”

The football has not been the only highlight.

“Absolutely,” he laughs when asked about whether he is enjoying South Africa’s food and culture.

“I have enjoyed some great food, listened to good music in all the right places, and had one or two drinks since it is my off-season.”

“It has been nice to enjoy everything outside of work because, once I head back home, it will be time to focus on my other job, which is still playing football. Pre-season will begin, and everything will become much more serious again.”

For now, though, Troost-Ekong watches on as an analyst rather than a player — still carrying the disappointment of Nigeria’s absence, but optimistic that Africa’s story at this FIFA World Cup is far from finished.

If Morocco can overcome France on Thursday night, they will not only keep their own dream alive, but also continue carrying the hopes of a continent still chasing its greatest-ever World Cup achievement.

Watch Morocco vs Franc LIVE on SuperSport this Thursday at 22:00 CAT, as SuperSport continues to bring you every moment of the FIFA World Cup—live, unrivalled and in one place.

Media Note: All quotes provided in this release are free for editorial use, provided they are attributed to SuperSport.

NCBA Bank has reaffirmed its commitment to empowering women entrepreneurs by convening the final investment pitching event of the NCBA AFAWA Women Small and Medium Enterprises (WSMEs) Acceleration Programme. AFAWA (Affirmative Finance Action for Women in Africa) is a pan-African initiative by the African Development Bank, designed to bridge the $42 billion to $49 billion financing gap facing women entrepreneurs. The Acceleration Programme, run in partnership with the African Guarantee Fund (AGF) is designed to equip women-owned businesses with the skills, networks and access to finance needed to achieve sustainable growth for their enterprises.

Held over two days, the Pitch session brought together 32 women entrepreneurs who presented their business growth plans and funding requirements before an investment panel comprising representatives from NCBA, the African Guarantee Fund (AGF), Unga Group and the SME Support Centre. The event marks the culmination of an intensive business acceleration journey that has prepared participating enterprises to become investment-ready and unlock growth capital.

Women-owned businesses play a vital role in Kenya’s economy, accounting for an estimated 48% of the country’s micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) according to a joint report by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the World Bank. Despite them contributing significantly to employment and economic activity, many continue to face barriers to accessing finance, markets and business development support that limit their ability to scale. The NCBA AFAWA WSMEs Acceleration Programme was established to bridge these gaps through an integrated model that combines business development, mentorship, coaching, market exposure and financing.

Since its inception, the programme has supported 82 women-owned SMEs across two cohorts. The current cohort, with an average participant age of between 38 and 40 years represents a diverse cross-section of Kenya’s agricultural economy, spanning value chains including cereals, pulses, fresh fruits and vegetables, avocados, mushrooms, poultry and eggs, tomatoes, meat, coffee, animal feeds, macadamia, bananas, fish, seedlings, rabbits and value-added food products such as cakes. Through structured business acceleration and mentorship, participants have strengthened their business models, governance, financial management and investment readiness ahead of the final pitching sessions. The programme aims to unlock USD 5 million in financing for participating businesses, with USD 1.365 million already unlocked, demonstrating the impact of pairing business capability development with tailored financial solutions.

Linda Onyango, Chief Executive Officer of the SME Support Centre, said the programme was designed to ensure entrepreneurs leave with far more than improved access to finance. “Our role has been to equip these women entrepreneurs with the practical skills, confidence and strategic mindset needed to build resilient businesses. Throughout the programme, we’ve worked closely with them to strengthen their governance, financial management, business planning and pitching capabilities so that when they seek investment, they are truly investment ready.”

Speaking on the event, NCBA Group Director Retail Banking, Dennis Njau said the programme reflects the banks strategic commitment to Banking on Belief: Empowering Ambitions, recognising that every entrepreneur deserves the opportunity to realise their potential regardless of the circumstances they face.

“At NCBA, we believe every ambition matters. Through our Banking on Belief strategy, we are committed to supporting entrepreneurs with not only the capital they need to grow, but also the skills, networks and confidence to build resilient businesses. This programme demonstrates our belief that when we invest in people and communities, we unlock transformative impact.”

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Ann Mwangi, representing the African Guarantee Fund (AGF), said the programme was intentionally designed to prepare women entrepreneurs to become investment-ready and confidently access formal financing. “Our goal is to build a pipeline of bankable women-owned businesses that are ready to access financing through our partner, NCBA. Together with our anchor partner, Unga Group, we have designed this programme to equip entrepreneurs with the skills, confidence and business readiness needed to be viewed as credible borrowers and position themselves for sustainable growth.”

The initiative also advances NCBA’s Change the Story agenda by addressing both the financial and non-financial barriers that have historically limited the growth of women-owned enterprises. Rather than focusing solely on access to credit, the programme equips entrepreneurs with the capabilities required to build sustainable businesses that contribute to stronger value chains, greater financial inclusion and long-term economic resilience.

The programme is delivered through a strategic partnership bringing together complementary expertise from the African Guarantee Fund (AGF), the Affirmative Finance Action for Women in Africa (AFAWA), SME Support Centre (SSC), Unga Group and NCBA Bank.

Guided by the philosophy of Ubuntu; “I am because we are”, the partnership reflects a shared belief that lasting impact is achieved through collaboration. AGF and AFAWA provide the risk-sharing framework that expands access to finance for women entrepreneurs, the SME Support Centre delivers business acceleration and mentorship, Unga Group provides industry exposure and market insights, while NCBA delivers the financial solutions that enable businesses to scale. Together, the partners have created an ecosystem that empowers entrepreneurs with the knowledge, networks and capital needed for long-term success.

“This programme demonstrates what is possible when institutions come together around a shared purpose,” added Njau. “When we combine partnerships, practical business support and innovative financing, we create opportunities for entrepreneurs to grow sustainable businesses that strengthen families, communities and the wider economy. That is how we continue to Change the Story.”

As the participating entrepreneurs present their growth strategies over the two-day Pitch session, NCBA reaffirmed its commitment to expanding access to inclusive financing solutions and strategic partnerships that empower women-led enterprises and contribute to Kenya’s sustainable economic development.

Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi has officially launched a major solar power project at the Nairobi Remand and Allocation Maximum Security Prison. This project is a key step in modernizing the country’s correctional services and improving access to justice through reliable and sustainable energy. It highlights the government’s commitment to creating an efficient, secure, and environmentally friendly correctional system that can support uninterrupted judicial services.

The project is a collaboration among the Government of Kenya, the European Union, and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime as part of the Promoting Legal Education and Assistance to Detained Persons program. This initiative shows the importance of international cooperation in supporting Kenya’s green growth and climate resilience efforts.

During the ceremony, CS Wandayi urged public institutions across the country to embrace renewable energy to reduce electricity costs and mitigate the effects of national grid failures. Before this green infrastructure was installed, the Nairobi Remand facility often faced power outages that disrupted daily operations. These blackouts notably affected the prison’s virtual court infrastructure, which facilitates between 200 and 500 virtual court sessions each day for regional stations in Makadara, Milimani, Kiambu, Kibera, Ngong, Thika, Kisumu, and Mombasa. Unreliable electricity led to unnecessary trial adjournments, delayed digital services, and compromised inmate welfare by shutting down the automated water pumps that supply the facility’s water.

To address these issues, the new 28.08-kilowatt peak hybrid solar power system includes strong technical backups. The installation features battery storage, inverter chargers, automated switching systems, energy-efficient lighting, and a fully rehabilitated diesel backup generator for emergencies. This system ensures a smooth switch to clean energy during grid failures, keeping critical operational areas, security systems, and digital courtrooms powered at all times. Accompanied by Correctional Services Principal Secretary Dr. Salome Beacco, officials noted that a reliable energy source not only modernizes infrastructure but also restores inmate dignity by ensuring consistent access to utilities.

The operational and financial benefits from the installation have been immediate. Virtual court proceedings—including case mentions, hearings, rulings, appeals, and bail applications—can now happen without interruptions.

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This directly reduces the backlog of cases in the Kenyan judicial system while upholding the right to timely justice. Additionally, remote virtual trials significantly cut the high logistical costs and security risks of transporting prisoners to various courthouses. The shift to renewable energy has also led to a drop in monthly utility costs at the prison, allowing saved funds to be redirected to important programs for inmate rehabilitation and vocational training.

To ensure the long-term success of the project, structured measures have been put in place, such as staff training, scheduled maintenance plans, and dedicated contractor support during the initial defect notification period. As Kenya continues to progress in climate action and digital transformation, the successful solarization of the Nairobi Remand prison serves as a model for public institutions nationwide. CS Wandayi called for ongoing investments in integrated security systems, high-speed internet, and modern ICT solutions to further the digital transformation of the country’s correctional services while asking international partners to continue supporting these essential reforms.