Super Eagles captain Ndidi’s father dies in road crash

Super Eagles captain Ndidi’s father died in road crash

Abdullateef Fowewe

In heartbreaking news rocking Nigerian football, Sunday Ndidi, father of Super Eagles captain Wilfred Ndidi and a retired Nigerian military officer, has died in a fatal road accident in Umunede, Delta State.

The incident was confirmed Tuesday by Ndidi’s club, Turkish giants Beşiktaş, via an official statement that has left fans worldwide in mourning.

Ndidi, who made a high-profile €8 million move from Leicester City to Beşiktaş in 2025, had only recently inspired Nigeria to a third-place finish at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.

There, he scored his first international goal—a poignant tribute now forever overshadowed by this personal tragedy.

Beşiktaş expressed their grief in a statement, “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.

“May Allah grant mercy to the deceased; we extend our condolences to our footballer Wilfred Ndidi, his family, and loved ones.”

Social media replies poured in with condolences from devastated Nigerian football fans, many highlighting the persistent road safety crisis in Delta State.

According to Nigerian Federal Road Safety Corps data, the state sees over 1,000 fatal accidents annually, fueling calls for urgent infrastructure improvements.

Ndidi’s leadership on the pitch has been a beacon for the Super Eagles, but this loss strikes at the heart of his story.