Super Eagles captain Wilfred Ndidi has lost his father, Sunday Ndidi, who died in a road accident on Tuesday in Umunede, Delta State.
The late Sunday Ndidi, a retired military officer, was involved in a traffic accident and was rushed to a hospital in Agbor, where he was confirmed dead.
Ndidi’s club, Besiktas, confirmed the tragic incident in a statement on their official X account.
“We are deeply saddened to learn of the tragic passing of our footballer Wilfred Ndidi’s esteemed father, Sunday Ndidi, in a fatal traffic accident,” the club said. “May Allah grant mercy to the deceased; we extend our condolences to our footballer Wilfred Ndidi, his family, and loved ones.”
The news comes months after Ndidi captained Nigeria to a third-place finish at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, where he also scored his first international goal for the Super Eagles.
Ndidi had dedicated his headed goal against Tunisia during Nigeria’s second group match to his father. He told journalists in Morocco that the celebration was inspired by his dad’s admiration for former Super Eagles captain Kanu Nwankwo.
“The celebration came from my dad because he was always talking about Kanu Nwankwo. So I just thought about my dad. I had seen the video before, but it came to my head, and I said I was going to do it for my dad,” Ndidi said.
Fans, teammates, and the football community have expressed condolences to Ndidi and his family following the tragic loss.
