The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and head coach Eric Chelle have officially appointed midfielder Wilfred Ndidi as the new permanent captain of the Super Eagles. This significant leadership change comes on the heels of the recent international retirements of both Ahmed Musa and, more recently, William Troost-Ekong.
A Huge Responsibility for the New Skipper
The announcement, made via the Super Eagles' official social media channels on December 20, 2025, confirms a role Ndidi has filled temporarily in the past. Reacting to his permanent appointment, the Besiktas star described the armband as "a huge responsibility."
Ndidi emphasized that collective effort would be key to a smooth transition. "With the help of the players, I think everything will go smoothly. We all need to be on the same page," he stated. Demonstrating immediate initiative, the new captain revealed he has already begun conversations with senior teammates and coaching staff to align expectations ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.
"I've had a conversation with a couple of players, some of the older players, just to make them understand the reason why we're here," Ndidi explained, highlighting his approach to fostering unity. "We need support from the staff as well; we're all in this together."
Ndidi on the Irreplaceable William Troost-Ekong
A major part of Ndidi's early remarks focused on his predecessor, William Troost-Ekong, whose retirement announcement came as a surprise after he was named in Nigeria's provisional AFCON squad. Ndidi was effusive in his praise for the former captain's influence, outlining why his absence will be deeply felt.
"He's a great leader. He speaks a lot for the team. He stands for the team, and he tries to take everything in for the team," Ndidi said. He expressed personal admiration for Ekong's character and his pivotal role as a unifying figure within the squad. "I admire him a lot, and how outspoken he is. He's one person everyone in the team looks up to; he's that guy that actually stands for the team."
Despite Ekong's exit from active duty, Ndidi indicated the defender remains a mentor. "We spoke a couple of weeks ago, and I'll just be chipping some advice from him once in a while," he added, noting that Ekong still feels connected to the group.
Echoes of Concern and a Charge from the NFF
Ndidi's sentiments on Ekong's void are shared by Nigerian football analysts. In a discussion with Legit.ng, football expert Bright Akpotabor agreed that the experienced defender's leadership and the respect he commanded from players would be a significant loss for the Super Eagles at the continental tournament.
Meanwhile, the NFF President, Ibrahim Gusau, has set a clear objective for Ndidi's team. He stated that winning the AFCON 2025 title would help relieve the pain of Nigeria's failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. This charge adds another layer of expectation as Ndidi prepares to lead Nigeria in Group C, where they will face Tunisia, Tanzania, and Uganda.
As the new captain, Wilfred Ndidi now shoulders the dual task of filling the leadership gap left by a respected figure like Ekong and uniting the squad to chase glory in Morocco, under the watchful and expectant eyes of a nation.
