Wilfred Ndidi named as new Nigerian captain as Super Eagles get set for Nations Cup

BESIKTAS midfielder Wilfred Ndidi has been named as the new Super Eagles captain to replace the now-retired William Troost-Ekong ahead of the forthcoming African Cup of Nations due to start this weekend in Morocco.

Ndidi, 28, who spent eight years playing in England with Leicester City between 2017 and 2025, moved to Turkish side Besiktas, this summer. In recognition of the leadership role he plays on the pitch, Ndidi has since been appointed as the clubs vice captain and he has now acquired another feather in his cap.

On Tuesday, Nigeria's Super Eagles will get their Nations Cup campaign underway when they face the Taifa Stars of Tanzania at the Fez Stadium. Ndidi, who had been deputising for Ekong, will lead the team out as the substantive captain in that game and will be hoping to go all the way and be the one to lift the trophy for Nigeria after the final.

Ndidi has been a mainstay in the Nigerian midfield for nearly a decade now after making his senior international debut in August 2015. He has since earned over 70 caps for the Super Eagles, representing the nation at multiple major tournaments and qualifiers, including featuring at the 2018 World Cup.

Over recent weeks, Ndidi’s leadership credentials have been widely discussed among football analysts and former players, with many pointing to his composure under pressure and his tactical intelligence as reasons why he was a natural choice for captain. Former Super Eagles skipper and coach Sunday Oliseh had publicly backed Ndidi as the right player to lead the national team after Troost‑Ekong’s departure.

While some voices in the football community, including ex‑striker Odion Ighalo, have suggested alternative leadership options such as striker Victor Osimhen, the Nigeria Football Federation and the team’s coaching staff appear confident in Ndidi’s leadership role. Ndidi will have three assistants Alex Iwobi, Moses Simon and Victor Osimhen.