BREAKING: Super Eagles captain Wilfred Ndidi loses dad in Delta road accident

Super Eagles captain, Wilfred Ndidi, has been thrown into mourning following the death of his father, Sunday Ndidi.

The deceased, a retired military officer, reportedly died in a fatal road accident on Tuesday in Delta State.

The accident occurred in Umunede, after which he was rushed to a hospital in Agbor, where he was confirmed dead.

Ndidi’s club side, Besiktas, announced the tragic development in a statement issued on Tuesday.

“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 loss 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 while celebrating 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.

“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 frequently spoken about his close relationship with his father, who raised him in a military barracks. Born and raised in Lagos, the Super Eagles captain has often credited his upbringing for instilling discipline and shaping his football career.

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 and members of the football community.