By Ghazali Ibrahim
Tragedy has struck Super Eagles captain Wilfred Ndidi after his father, Sunday Ndidi, died in a road accident in Delta State on Tuesday, January 27, 2026.
According to reports, the retired military officer was involved in a traffic crash in the Umunede area of Delta State late Tuesday morning. He was rushed to a hospital in Agbor, but doctors later confirmed his death.
Ndidi’s club, Turkish side Beşiktaş, released a statement on its official X account expressing sadness over the loss.
“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, adding, “May Allah grant mercy to the deceased; we extend our condolences to our footballer Wilfred Ndidi, his family, and loved ones.”
The 29-year-old midfielder has often spoken about his father’s influence on his life and career. During the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, where Nigeria finished third, Ndidi scored his first international goal in a group match against Tunisia and dedicated it to his late parent. He later explained that his goal celebration inspired by Nigerian football legend Kanu Nwankwo was meant to honor his father’s passion for the sport.
Fans, teammates and officials from the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) have begun sharing messages of support on social media, mourning the loss alongside Ndidi. Many highlighted the retired soldier’s role in shaping his son’s discipline and commitment on and off the pitch.
Ndidi, who moved to Beşiktaş in 2025 after several successful seasons in England with Leicester City, now faces a period of grief as he and his family come to terms with the sudden loss.
