AFCON 2025: OFFICIAL — Super Eagles pick new captain

The Super Eagles of Nigeria have a new captain, after the recent retirements of Ahmed Musa and William Troost-Ekong.

Besiktas midfielder Wilfred Ndidi has been named as the new Super Eagles captain, and he said that the responsibility meant everything to him,

Ndidi has played stand-in captain on multiple occasions recently when Ahmed Musa and William Troost-Ekong have been unavailable. Following the recent retirements of the Kano Pillars general manager and Al Khoolood's defender, Ndidi has been handed the mantle of leadership.

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The announcement was made through the Super Eagles' official pages on social media. He acknowledged the gravity of the responsibility he was taking on and shared that he had already spoken to the team. 

“It's a huge responsibility and, with the help of the players, I think everything will go smoothly,” he said. 

“I've had conversation with a 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. And it is very important we all be on the same page.

Ndidi also spoke about the erstwhile captain, Ekong, whose exit came unexpectedly, as he announced his retirement weeks ahead of the AFCON, after he had been named in the preliminary squad list. 

“He's a great leader,” he said about Ekong. He speaks a lot for the team. He stands for the team, and, he tries to take everything in for the team, you know. 

“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 guy. I've learned a lot from him.

“And also, we spoke a couple of weeks ago, and I'll just be chipping some advice, you know, from him once, once, once in, once out, you know, so I feel like he's still part of the team, you know, and is going to be missed.