Super Eagles captain and Besiktas midfielder Wilfred Ndidi has reportedly lost his father, Sunday Ndidi, who died following a tragic road accident in Delta State.
According to reports, the accident occurred in Umunede, Delta State, on Sunday.
Sunday, a retired military officer, was rushed to a hospital in Agbor, where he was later confirmed dead on Tuesday.
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Besiktas Confirm Death, Send Condolences
Turkish club Besiktas confirmed the sad development in a statement released on Tuesday, expressing condolences to their player and his family.
“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 condolences to our footballer Wilfred Ndidi, his family, and loved ones.”
Ndidi’s Emotional AFCON Dedication to His Father
The midfielder has often spoken about the influence of his father on his career. During the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, Ndidi scored in Nigeria’s 3-2 group-stage victory over Tunisia and dedicated the goal to his father, who was alive at the time.
“It was for Papilo, the legend Kanu Nwankwo,” Ndidi said then.
“Growing up, my dad was a huge fan of Kanu. In our house, Kanu was the ultimate hero.
“My dad always talked about his grace, his goals, and how he represented Nigeria. I told myself before the game that if I scored, I had to do it for my dad.
“He’s the one who pushed me into football and always told me stories of the greats. Celebrating like Kanu in a Super Eagles jersey was my way of saying thank you to my father for all his support and for showing me the way. It was a very proud moment for my family.”
Family Initially Favoured Education Over Football
In a 2017 interview, Ndidi revealed that his family, particularly his father, initially wanted him to focus on education rather than football.
“My family were not really into football,” he said.
“My dad wanted me to go to school, not play football. He watched football on television but didn’t want me to play. He was a soldier, but he didn’t want me to follow in his footsteps; he just wanted me to go to school.”
From Leicester City to Besiktas
Ndidi joined Besiktas last summer for a fee in excess of £10 million after spending eight years with English club side Leicester City. During his time with the Foxes, the Nigerian international made over 300 appearances, including 220 in the Premier League.
