Midfield maestro Wilfred Ndidi has been named the new captain of Nigeria's Super Eagles, succeeding William Troost-Ekong ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, with coach Eric Chelle entrusting the 28-year-old Leicester City stalwart to lead the squad after Ekong's international retirement. Ndidi, who boasts over 70 caps since his 2015 debut and has donned the armband in recent World Cup playoffs including triumphs over Gabon edges out rivals like Alex Iwobi and Moses Simon, now his deputies alongside Victor Osimhen in a robust leadership core.
The Besiktas loanee's elevation celebrates his tactical nous, 71 caps, and prior AFCON outings in 2019 and 2021, marking a youth system triumph as one of few 2018 World Cup veterans remaining. Teammates like Leon Balogun, Odion Ighalo, and Frank Onyeka showered birthday tributes on the "skippo" at camp, affirming his respect amid Sunday Oliseh's endorsement of his on-pitch command.
With Nigeria kicking off against Tanzania on December 23, Ndidi's helm promises disciplined midfield mastery to surpass the 2023 runner-up heartbreak, galvanizing a star-studded roster hungry for continental redemption under Chelle's vision.