Beşiktaş JK has announced the reason for Wilfred Ndidi’s absence in the recent Nigeria vs. Egypt match. The Nigerian midfielder, who captained the Super Eagles during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, was sidelined due to injury.
Ndidi’s Injury Update
Wilfred Ndidi was unable to participate in the third-place playoff against Egypt after failing to recover from a hamstring injury. The 29-year-old had previously missed the semi-final match against Morocco because of a suspension.
Details of the Injury
- Injury sustained during Nigeria’s quarter-final win over Algeria.
- Diagnosed with a strain and bleeding in the biceps femoris muscle of his left thigh.
- Beşiktaş confirmed he returned to Istanbul for treatment.
Despite expectations that Ndidi would return for the playoff, he remained on the bench during the goalless draw, which Nigeria eventually won on penalties.
Performance at AFCON 2025
Although sidelined for the final two matches, Ndidi was a standout player for Nigeria in the tournament. The Super Eagles won every match in which he featured and he scored his first international goal against Tunisia in a thrilling 3-2 group-stage victory.
Nigeria’s Overall Performance
- Nigeria finished third at AFCON 2025.
- Senegal secured the championship, defeating Morocco 1-0 in the final.
After the tournament, Ndidi expressed his gratitude to Nigerian fans for their unwavering support. He acknowledged the disappointment of not winning but reaffirmed the team’s commitment to return stronger in future competitions.
Looking Ahead
As he begins his recovery process in Turkey, both Beşiktaş and the Nigerian national team remain hopeful for his swift return. Ndidi’s absence will be felt as he is one of the Super Eagles’ key players.
