Wilfred Ndidi during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations Nigeria Arrival at Fes Airport in Fes, Morocco on 18 December 2025 ©Nabil Ramdani/BackpagePix
Friday Dec 19, 2025. 15:00
Wilfred Ndidi will captain Nigeria at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after he was officially appointed as William Troost-Ekong’s successor to usher in a new era of leadership for the national team.
The 28-year-old midfielder was handed the armband for the Super Eagles’ 2026 World Cup playoff tie against DR Congo last month, with Troost-Ekong sitting on the bench as Eric Chelle’s side lost the CAF qualifying final 4-3 on penalties.
Ndidi emerged as the top pick to lead the West African giants going forward after the 31-year-old centre-back announced his retirement from international football on December 4.
The former Leicester fan favourite is one of the most experienced players in Chelle’s squad, having earned 71 caps since making his debut under Sunday Oliseh in a friendly against DR Congo on 8 October 2015 as an 18-year-old.
Ndidi brought an eight-year association with the Foxes to an end in the off-season when he joined Turkish side Besiktas and was named vice-captain in October, but he now faces an even greater challenge as skipper of his country, who are looking to reach back-to-back AFCON finals.
Nigeria narrowly missed out on winning their fourth title at the 2023 edition after the squandered a half-time lead to lose 2-1 to hosts Ivory Coast.