Nigerian midfielder Wilfred Ndidi is poised to take over as Super Eagles captain ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), following the retirement of William Troost-Ekong.

Ndidi, 28, who has earned 71 international caps, has been one of the team’s senior leaders and is expected to assume the captaincy permanently. Troost-Ekong, who announced his retirement on Thursday, ends a ten-year international career in which he played 83 matches and was widely respected as a key figure in Nigeria’s national team.

Ndidi was already seen as the natural successor. He captained the Eagles during the 2026 FIFA World Cup play-offs in Morocco last month and will now officially lead the team at AFCON.

His experience will be crucial in the dressing room, with winger Moses Simon—the only current player matching Ndidi’s seniority—expected to serve as vice-captain.

Currently playing for Turkish club Beşiktaş, Ndidi made his international debut in August 2015 and has remained a consistent presence in the team, though he missed the delayed 2023 AFCON in Côte d’Ivoire due to injury.