By El-ameen Ibrahim
In a decisive shake-up of leadership, the Super Eagles of Nigeria have appointed midfielder Wilfred Ndidi as the new Captain of the national team, following the retirements of seasoned stalwarts Ahmed Musa and William Troost-Ekong.
Ndidi, who had frequently donned the captain’s armband in the absence of Musa and Troost-Ekong, has now been formally handed the reins of the team. With the Kano Pillars general manager and Al Khoolood defender stepping away from international football, the mantle of leadership rests firmly on the Leicester City star.
On the responsibility now placed upon him, Ndidi remarked, “It’s a huge responsibility, and with the help of the players, everything will go smoothly.” His words underline a commitment to cohesive leadership, emphasizing teamwork as the foundation for success.
Looking ahead to the Africa Cup of Nations, Ndidi stressed the importance of unity and shared purpose within the squad. “I have had conversations with the players, trying to make them understand the reason why we are here. We also need support from the staff and to have conversations about what’s ahead. It is very important that everyone is on the same page,” he explained.
The new captain also paid homage to his predecessor, William Troost-Ekong, highlighting the impact of his leadership. “He is a great leader, he speaks for the team, he stands for the team. I admire him a lot. How outspoken he is. He is one person everyone looks up to. He is an amazing guy. I have learnt a lot from him. We spoke a couple of weeks ago, still chipped in some advice, I feel he is still part of the team. He is going to be missed.”
As Ndidi assumes full command, the Super Eagles prepare for a new chapter, seeking to blend experience with fresh leadership in their pursuit of continental glory.
