Super Eagles captain, Wilfred Ndidi, has been thrown into mourning following the death of his father, Sunday Ndidi, who died in a fatal road accident in Delta State.
The deceased, a retired military officer, reportedly lost his life on Tuesday after a crash in Umunede. He was rushed to a hospital in nearby Agbor, where he was later confirmed dead.
Ndidi’s club side, Besiktas, announced the tragic development in a statement issued on Tuesday, expressing deep sorrow over the loss.
“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 heartfelt condolences to our footballer Wilfred Ndidi, his family, and loved ones.”
The tragedy comes just weeks 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. During the tournament, the midfielder paid an emotional tribute to his father after scoring a headed goal against Tunisia in Nigeria’s second group match.
“The celebration came from my dad because he was always talking about Kanu Nwankwo,” Ndidi told journalists in Morocco 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 about his close relationship with his father, revealing that he was raised in a military barracks, an upbringing he credits for instilling discipline and shaping his football career. Born and raised in Lagos, the Super Eagles captain has repeatedly acknowledged the influence of his father on and off the pitch.
As of the time of filing this report, Ndidi is yet to make a public statement on the passing of his father, as tributes continue to pour in from fans, teammates and members of the football community.
