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Wilfred Ndidi, captain of Nigeria’s Super Eagles, is mourning the death of his father, Sunday Ndidi, who was killed in a road accident on Tuesday in southern Nigeria, according to his club and local reports.
Sunday Ndidi, a retired military officer, was involved in a traffic collision in Umunede, a town in Delta State, and was pronounced dead after being rushed to a hospital in nearby Agbor.
The tragic news was confirmed by Ndidi’s club, Besiktas, in a statement posted on its 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 Turkish club said.
The announcement prompted an outpouring of condolences from fans and members of the football community, reflecting Ndidi’s stature as one of Nigeria’s most respected midfielders and team leaders.
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Ndidi has been a central figure for both club and country in recent years, known for his consistency, discipline, and leadership on and off the pitch.
The loss comes shortly after one of the most memorable moments of Ndidi’s international career.
Earlier this year, he captained Nigeria to a third-place finish at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, where he also scored his first-ever goal for the national team.
That goal, a header against Tunisia in Nigeria’s second group match, was followed by a celebration that carried deep personal meaning.
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Speaking to journalists after the match, Ndidi said the moment was inspired by his late father and Nigerian football legend Kanu Nwankwo.
“The celebration came from my dad because he was always talking about Kanu Nwankwo,” Ndidi said at the time.
“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 has often spoken publicly about growing up with his father in military barracks and how that environment shaped his discipline and work ethic.
Born and raised in Lagos, he has repeatedly credited his father’s influence for guiding his football journey from grassroots to the international stage.
