Newly appointed Super Eagles captain, Wilfred Ndidi, has ignited a firestorm of criticism from Nigerian football fans following his comments upon the team's arrival in Morocco for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Ndidi's Controversial Welcome Message
The Besiktas midfielder, who was named captain following the international retirement of Ahmed Musa and William Troost-Ekong, addressed fans in a video posted on social media platform X. Ndidi stated that the team had arrived in Fes, Morocco and was ready for their opening match against Tanzania on December 23.
However, it was his concluding remark that triggered the uproar. "Enjoy the game because we are here to have fun too," Ndidi said in the clip, which was published on December 19, 2025. This statement, intended perhaps to ease pressure, was interpreted by many supporters as a sign of a lackadaisical attitude towards the prestigious tournament.
Fan Reactions: Fury and Disappointment
The reaction on social media was swift and largely negative. Supporters expressed deep disappointment, contrasting Ndidi's 'fun' narrative with the expectation of serious, trophy-winning business.
One fan, @moolah79, wrote: "Have fun? I can't believe this my ears. Every other serious country is there for serious business but Ndidi and his team mates are there for fun. And we wonder why our players are never serious on the pitch."
Another user, @BluesInformant, added: "Have fun! Are you fine bro? Go and win the tournament. Anything below that is failure and shame."
The sentiment was echoed by @mfon_gabriel, who advised: "We are here to take the AFCON25 Prize. That should be your goal Captain Ndidi, not to have fun pls." Many fans viewed the comment as tone-deaf, especially coming so soon after Nigeria's failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the US, Canada, and Mexico.
The Road to Captaincy and Tournament Context
Ndidi's appointment as captain was a natural progression. The 29-year-old had been the stand-in on-pitch leader during World Cup qualifiers and recent friendlies under coach Eric Chelle, including a 2-1 defeat to Egypt in Cairo on December 16. He is expected to be assisted by a leadership group including Alex Iwobi (Fulham), Moses Simon (Paris FC), and Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray).
Nigeria, three-time AFCON champions, are drawn in Group C alongside Tanzania, Tunisia, and Uganda. The opening fixture against the Taifa Stars in Fes is now shrouded in increased scrutiny following the captain's remarks.
In related personal news, it was recently reported that Ndidi celebrated his wife Chidinma Fortune's birthday with a lavish gift—a ₦300 million Bentley Bentayga. The couple, married since 2019, have a daughter together.
As the tournament kicks off, the pressure is squarely on Ndidi and the Super Eagles to translate their stated intention of 'fun' into the serious, winning football that a football-passionate nation like Nigeria desperately craves, particularly after recent disappointments.
