Wilfred Ndidi has officially been named the new captain of the Nigeria Super Eagles, marking a new leadership era for the national team ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, Softfootball reports.
The announcement was made via the Super Eagles’ verified X handle, where a video was shared featuring Ndidi speaking about his new role.
In the clip, the Leicester City midfielder described the captaincy as a huge responsibility that means everything to him as the team heads into the AFCON challenge.
Below is Wilfred Ndidi’s statements in the video;
It’s a huge responsibility and with the help of the players , I think everything will go smooth about conversation with couple of players just some of the older players you know just try to make them understand the reason why we’re here you know also need the support also from also the staff.
We’re all in this together so we just have this conversation of the task ahead, you know So and it is very important we all be on the same page.
As a great leader, it speaks a lot for the team, he stands for the team and he tries to take everything in for the team you know and I admire him a lot and how outspoken he is and I think he’s one person where everyone in the team look up to you know like is that guy that actually like stands for the team like I said earlier speaks for the team you know like encourage everyone you know and he’s an amazing amazing guy.
I’ve learned a lot from him and also we spoke a couple of weeks ago and I just be chipping in some advice, you know, from him once once once in you know so I feel like he’s still part of the team you know and he’s going to be missed.
Yeah, it was a sad one missing out on on the World Cup and this is another opportunity, you know, they say another day, another opportunity is another opportunity for to correct the wrongs and put smiles in the faces of Nigerians and make the country proud once again. It’s not going to be an easy task, but we’re really really up forit. We know the dark side and we look forward to enjoying it together.
Ndidi’s appointment comes at a significant time for the national team. He celebrated his 29th birthday on December 16, 2025, just one day before Ahmed Musa announced his retirement from international football on December 17. Softfootball also recalls that former captain William Troost-Ekong had earlier retired from the Super Eagles, creating a leadership vacuum within the squad.
The Super Eagles have since arrived in Morocco, touching down in Fes yesterday on December 18, and completed their first training session today as preparations intensify for AFCON 2025. Ndidi was part of the session, beginning his captaincy duties on the training ground.
With major transitions taking place within the team, Ndidi’s leadership will be crucial as Nigeria look to challenge for continental glory. The Super Eagles are set to open their AFCON 2025 campaign in Group C as anticipation continues to build around the squad.
