Wilfred Ndidi, the captain of Nigeria’s male football side, the Super Eagles, is bereaved.
Wilfred, lost his father, Sunday Ndidi, in a ghastly road accident on Tuesday at Umunede, Delta State.
The deceased, a retired military officer, was reportedly rushed to a hospital in Agbor, where he was confirmed dead.
Ndidi’s club side, Besiktas, announced the tragic development in a statement shared on Tuesday via its official X handle.
“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 loss comes months after Ndidi led Nigeria to a third-place finish at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. During the tournament, the midfielder also scored his first-ever international goal for the Super Eagles.
Ndidi had dedicated that goal to his father while celebrating a headed strike against Tunisia in Nigeria’s second group match, drawing inspiration from former Super Eagles captain Kanu Nwankwo.
“The celebration came from my dad because he was always talking about Kanu Nwankwo,” Ndidi told journalists in Morocco.
“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.”
