Super Eagles Captain Wilfred Ndidi Mourns His Late Father

Wilfred Ndidi, the captain of Nigeria's Super Eagles, took to social media on Tuesday to express his sorrow over the death of his father, Sunday Ndidi, who tragically lost his life in a road accident in Delta State on the same day.

In an emotional Instagram post, the football star reminisced about their last conversation and the deep pain of losing a father who was instrumental in his life and career.

"Eeraq, you called me this morning with excitement in your voice, but deep down, it was a goodbye you were telling me," Ndidi shared, mixing English with Nigerian Pidgin.

He continued, reflecting on the weight of their discussions, asking, "What about the things we talked about? Are we not going to talk again? Only memories remain?"

His post, which included a photograph of him with his father, resonated with fans and fellow athletes alike, drawing a flood of supportive messages and condolences in response.

Ndidi also recalled one of the proudest moments of his international career, when he scored his first goal for Nigeria during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, a milestone that his father witnessed.

“Even when I scored my first-ever national team goal, I celebrated with that papilo dance for you, but now you're gone, EERAQ,” he wrote, reflecting on that historic goal scored against Tunisia in the group stage, which was celebrated with a dance inspired by former Super Eagles captain Kanu Nwankwo.

Sunday Ndidi, a retired military personnel, was reported to have died after being struck by a car in Umunede, near Agbor, Delta State. He was promptly taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

This tragic event occurred just weeks after Wilfred Ndidi led Nigeria to a third-place win at the 2025 AFCON, where the Super Eagles triumphed over Egypt in a penalty shootout. Ndidi was noted as one of the standout players of the tournament.

Growing up in Lagos, Ndidi often spoke about the discipline instilled in him by his father during his formative years in the barracks, crediting him for shaping his professional trajectory.