President Bola Tinubu has sympathised with the captain of the Nigerian men’s senior football team Wilfred Ndidi, over the loss of his father Sunday Ndidi.
Sunday Ndidi, the retired member of Nigerian military was involved in a ghastly road accident on Tuesday, 27th December at Umunede, Agbor, Delta State, before he was later passed out in the hospital.
In a condolence message directed to the family of the deceased on Wednesday, Bayo Onanuga, the media aide to Tinubu, prayed for the repose of his soul.
“I am deeply saddened by the tragic death of Sunday Ndidi. I share in the grief of his family, friends and associates, particularly Wilfred Ndidi, who shared a strong bond with his father as a mentor and guide in his remarkable career as an exceptional footballer,” the statement reads.
Ndidi’s Turkish club side Besiktas also mourned the death, confirming the news on their X’s post released earlier yesterday.
“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,” the club said in a message shared on its official X account.
“May Allah grant mercy to the deceased; we extend our condolences to our footballer Wilfred Ndidi, his family, and loved ones.”
The incident came weeks after the Super Eagles’ star led Nigeria to claim their Ninth Bronze medal at the just concluded 2025 AFCON in Casablanca, after losing to the host team in the Semifinals and defeated Egypt in the third–place clash.
Recall that Ndidi was instrumental to Nigeria’s glory, recording his first goal with the national team in the group stage’s dramatic 3–2 victory against Tunisia.
Ndidi marked his international debut goal with the special celebration of Super Eagles’ legend Kanu Nwankwo, paying tribute to a player who holds water in his father’s heart.
“Celebrating like Kanu in a Super Eagles jersey is my way of saying thank you to my father for all his support and for showing me the way. It’s a very proud moment for my family,” Ndidi said after the match.
The Nigerian footballer has always fondly spoken about how his father raised him in the barracks of Lagos State, playing out significantly towards his discipline and passion for football.The recent incident has earned 2026’s January as a tragic month among Nigerians marred by tragedies involving sports figures in Nigeria.In late December 2025, former world boxing champion Anthony Joshua was involved in a road accident that claimed the lives of his two associates and colleagues Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele, as Joshua himself suffered minor injuries.Recall that the Super Eagles’ shot stopper Stanley Nwabali, announced the demise of her mother earlier in the month, barely two months after losing his father.Teammates, fans, and well–wishers have continued to donate their tributes to Ndidi, with many praising his dedication to the Super Eagles and the pride the player has brought to Nigeria.