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| Wilfred and his late father |
Super Eagles star Wilfred Ndidi is mourning the sudden death of his father, Sunday Ndidi, a retired military officer killed in a road accident in Delta State’s Umunede on Tuesday, January 27, 2026.
The 29-year-old midfielder shared that he spoke with his dad just hours before the crash. Rushed to a hospital in Agbor, Sunday was confirmed dead despite efforts to save him.
Ndidi’s club, Turkish giants Besiktas, announced the news around noon Tuesday. In a poignant Instagram post, the grieving player poured out his sorrow, cherishing their last conversation.
“Eeraq, you called me this morning with excitement in your voice, but deep down, it was a goodbye,” Ndidi wrote.
“What about the things we talked about? So we won’t talk again? Only memories?”
Ndidi, who recently captained Nigeria to a third-place finish at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, scored his first international goal for the country during the tournament and dedicated his Kanu Nwankwo-inspired celebration to his father, a longtime admirer of the former Super Eagles captain.
He also referenced the moment in his tribute.
“Even when I scored my first national team goal, I did that Papilo dance for you, but you just left like that,” the midfielder wrote, alongside a recent photo of himself, his father and Kanu.
Meanwhile, the National Sports Commission, the Nigeria Football Federation and the Super Eagles have expressed their grief over the passing of Ndidi’s father.
The Director General of the NSC, Bukola Olopade, described the news as a painful moment for Nigerian sports.
“On behalf of the Chairman of the NSC, Mallam Shehu Dikko, and the Nigerian sports family, I want to express our heartfelt condolences to Wilfred Ndidi and his family for this unfortunate loss,” Olopade said.
“I know for a fact how close Wilfred Ndidi was to his father and the significant role the man played in his son’s success story.”
NFF General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, also expressed shock at the news.
“This is very sad. The player just gave his very best to the nation at the Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco, where we finished with the bronze medals. He returned to Turkey with great motivation and high hopes of helping his club win silverware this season and also helping the Super Eagles reach new heights this year,” Sanusi said.
“We are really shocked at the moment and cannot say much, but we earnestly pray for the repose of the soul of Mr Sunday Ndidi and that Almighty God will comfort our team captain, his siblings, relatives and all those he has left behind.”
The official Super Eagles account on X also shared a message of support for the grieving player.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time, Wilfred,” the message read.
Ndidi, who often speaks about growing up with his father in the barracks and his role in shaping his discipline, character and love for football, was born and raised in Lagos.
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