Sunday Ndidi, the father of Super Eagles captain Wilfred, died today, Tuesday, January 27th, after he was involved in a fatal car crash.
The 29-year-old midfielder penned a heartfelt message after the news broke, revealing that he spoke to his father hours before the crash. The tributes have also begun pouring in, with Ndidi's club, Besiktas, leading the way.
What happened
According to the Cable, Ndidi Snr was involved in a road accident in the Umunede area of Delta. He was taken to a hospital in Agbor, where he passed away from injuries sustained during the crash.
The deceased was a former military officer, and he inspired his son to become a footballer and an ambassador of his country. Palpably shaken by the news, Ndidi took to social media to share the following:
Eeraq you call me this morning with excitement in your voice but deep down na goodbye you dey tell me ... What about things we talked about, so we no go talk again Na only memories?...
Even when i score my first ever national team goal i do that papilo dance for you, but you just go like that EERAQ
Besiktas share condolensce
Ndidi's club, Besiktas, confirmed the death via a tweet. They offered their condolences to their vice captain and his family and prayed for divine mercy for the deceased.
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.
May Allah grant mercy to the deceased; we extend our condolences to our footballer Wilfred Ndidi, his family, and loved ones.
Futbolcumuz Wilfred Ndidi'nin kıymetli babası Sunday Ndidi’nin elim bir trafik kazasında hayatını kaybettiğini büyük bir üzüntüyle öğrenmiş bulunmaktayız.
— BeÅŸiktaÅŸ JK (@Besiktas) January 27, 2026
Merhuma Allah’tan rahmet; Futbolcumuz Wilfred Ndidi'ye, ailesine ve yakınlarına başsağlığı dileriz. pic.twitter.com/KVI2Lw1FEU
Ndidi shared a close relationship with his father, and during the recently concluded AFCON, he dedicated his goal against Tunisia in the group stage to him.
The former Leicester man reenacted Kanu Nwankwo's famed celebration from the Dream Eagles' triumphant Atlanta 96 campaign, after which he revealed that he did so for his father, who was a massive Papilo fan.