Super Eagles midfielder Wilfred Ndidi has shared a deeply emotional account of his final moments with his father, Sunday Ndidi, just hours before the retired military officer tragically lost his life in a road accident in Delta State on Tuesday.
Reports indicate that Mr. Ndidi was involved in a fatal traffic collision in Umunede and was rushed to a hospital in Agbor, where he was later pronounced dead. The devastating news was officially confirmed around noon by Ndidi’s Turkish club, Besiktas.
Taking to Instagram, the 29-year-old footballer poured out his grief, revealing that he had spoken with his father earlier that morning, unaware that it would be their final exchange.
“Eeraq, you called me this morning, your voice filled with excitement, yet deep inside, it felt like a farewell,” Ndidi wrote.
“What about all the plans and conversations we shared? Are they now just memories?”
The former Leicester City star, who recently captained Nigeria to a third-place finish at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, also reflected on a deeply personal moment from the tournament. Ndidi scored his maiden international goal during the competition and celebrated with a Kanu Nwankwo-inspired dance in honour of his father, a devoted admirer of the former Super Eagles captain.
He revisited that touching gesture in his heartfelt tribute.
“Even when I scored my first goal for the national team, I did the Papilo dance for you. And now, you are gone,” he wrote, alongside a photograph of himself with his father and Kanu Nwankwo.
Tributes have continued to pour in from across Nigeria’s football and sporting community. The National Sports Commission (NSC), the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), and the Super Eagles have all extended their condolences to Ndidi and his family.
Director-General of the NSC, Bukola Olopade, described the loss as a painful moment for Nigerian sports.
“On behalf of the Chairman of the NSC, Mallam Shehu Dikko, and the entire Nigerian sports family, I extend our heartfelt condolences to Wilfred Ndidi and his family over this tragic loss,” Olopade said.
“I know how close Wilfred was to his father and the vital role he played in shaping his son’s remarkable journey.”
NFF General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, also expressed shock at the tragic news.
“This is deeply saddening. Wilfred recently gave everything for the nation at the AFCON in Morocco, where we secured a bronze medal. He returned to Turkey full of determination, eager to help his club win trophies and push the Super Eagles to even greater heights this year,” Sanusi said.
“We are truly devastated and struggle to find the right words, but we sincerely pray for the peaceful repose of Mr Sunday Ndidi’s soul and ask Almighty God to grant strength and comfort to Wilfred, his siblings, and the entire family.”
The official Super Eagles 𝕏 account also shared a message of solidarity, writing, “Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this incredibly difficult time, Wilfred.”
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