It’s official. The leadership vacuum left by the international retirements of William Troost-Ekong and Ahmed Musa has been filled.
Super Eagles head coach Éric Chelle has formally appointed Wilfred Ndidi as the new captain of the Nigeria national team.
The Beşiktaş midfielder will lead the three-time African champions into the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, which kicks off in just a few days.
Captain Ndidi: The Super Eagles’ New Era Begins at AFCON 2025
It’s official. The leadership vacuum left by the international retirements of William Troost-Ekong and Ahmed Musa has been filled.
Super Eagles head coach Éric Chelle has formally appointed Wilfred Ndidi as the new captain of the Nigeria national team.
The Beşiktaş midfielder will lead the three-time African champions into the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, which kicks off in just a few days.
The "General" Takes the Armband
Ndidi’s appointment marks a transition toward a more "silent but steady" leadership style. At 29 years old and with over 70 caps for Nigeria, Ndidi is currently the most senior active member of the squad.
The Support System: To assist him, Chelle has named Moses Simon and Alex Iwobi as vice-captains. This trio forms a vastly experienced "leadership council" that has been part of the Super Eagles' core for nearly a decade.
The "Osimhen" Debate: While former striker Odion Ighalo publicly lobbied for Victor Osimhen to take the role due to his "outspoken"nature, Chelle has opted for the calm, tactical authority that Ndidi provides in the heart of the midfield.
A Symbolic Return
For Ndidi, this captaincy is particularly poignant. He missed the 2023 AFCON in Ivory Coast due to a last-minute injury, watching from the sidelines as Nigeria reached the final. Now, not only is he back to full fitness, but he returns as the man tasked with finally bringing the trophy home.
"Leading the team is a huge responsibility," Ndidi told reporters in Cairo this week. "I want to give everything for Nigeria and help us achieve success. It is a goosebumps kind of feeling to represent this country."
The Immediate Challenge: AFCON 2025
The "Ndidi Era" begins under high pressure. The Super Eagles arrived in Fez, Morocco, on Thursday following a training camp in Egypt.
Nigeria finds itself in Group C, facing a challenging path to the knockout stages:
Dec 23: vs. Tanzania
Dec 27: vs. Tunisia
Dec 30: vs. Uganda
Club Form: The Beşiktaş Boost
Ndidi enters the tournament in arguably the best form of his career. Since his summer move from Leicester City to Beşiktaş,he has been a revelation in the Süper Lig. His refined passing range and defensive steel have been key to the Turkish side's recent success, and Nigeria fans will be hoping he brings that "Turkish fire" to the Moroccan desert.
Captain Ndidi: The Super Eagles’ New Era Begins at AFCON 2025
It’s official. The leadership vacuum left by the international retirements of William Troost-Ekong and Ahmed Musa has been filled. Super Eagles head coach Éric Chelle has formally appointed Wilfred Ndidi as the new captain of the Nigeria national team.
The Beşiktaş midfielder will lead the three-time African champions into the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, which kicks off in just a few days.
The "General" Takes the Armband
Ndidi’s appointment marks a transition toward a more "silent but steady" leadership style. At 29 years old and with over 70 caps for Nigeria, Ndidi is currently the most senior active member of the squad.
The Support System: To assist him, Chelle has named Moses Simon and Alex Iwobi as vice-captains. This trio forms a vastly experienced "leadership council" that has been part of the Super Eagles' core for nearly a decade.
The "Osimhen" Debate: While former striker Odion Ighalo publicly lobbied for Victor Osimhen to take the role due to his "outspoken" nature, Chelle has opted for the calm, tactical authority that Ndidi provides in the heart of the midfield.
A Symbolic Return
For Ndidi, this captaincy is particularly poignant. He missed the 2023 AFCON in Ivory Coast due to a last-minute injury, watching from the sidelines as Nigeria reached the final. Now, not only is he back to full fitness, but he returns as the man tasked with finally bringing the trophy home.
"Leading the team is a huge responsibility," Ndidi told reporters in Cairo this week. "I want to give everything for Nigeria and help us achieve success. It is a goosebumps kind of feeling to represent this country."
The Immediate Challenge: AFCON 2025
The "Ndidi Era" begins under high pressure. The Super Eagles arrived in Fez, Morocco, on Thursday following a training camp in Egypt. Nigeria finds itself in Group C, facing a challenging path to the knockout stages:
Dec 23: vs. Tanzania
Dec 27: vs. Tunisia
Dec 30: vs. Uganda
Club Form: The Beşiktaş Boost
Ndidi enters the tournament in arguably the best form of his career. Since his summer move from Leicester City to Beşiktaş, he has been a revelation in the Süper Lig. His refined passing range and defensive steel have been key to the Turkish side's recent success, and Nigeria fans will be hoping he brings that "Turkish fire" to the Moroccan desert.
The Verdict
By choosing Ndidi, Éric Chelle has prioritized stability and seniority. In a squad packed with "loud" attacking superstars like Osimhen and Boniface, Ndidi’s quiet discipline in the middle of the park may be exactly the anchor the Super Eagles need to secure their fourth continental title.