The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has confirmed that Wilfred Ndidi is eligible to feature for the Super Eagles in Sunday’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying playoff clash against DR Congo.
This was revealed by the team’s media officer Promise Efoghe in a post on the Super Eagles X handle on Saturday.
There were reports that Ndidi will miss the playoffs final with DR Congo after he received a yellow card early in the clash with Gabon.
But according to Efoghe, CAF has given the green light for Ndidi to feature against the Leopards, because cautions accumulated during the World Cup qualifiers do not carry over into the playoffs; only confirmed suspensions apply.
The Super Eagles would be wary of running foul against suspension rules especially, after Bafana Bafana of South Africa were deducted three points for fielding Teboho Mokoena who was Ineligible to play against Lesotho in the early part of the qualifiers.
Despite getting docked three points, South Africa still managed to secure the automatic qualification ticket for next year’s FIFA World Cup.
Ndidi was instrumental in the Super Eagles’ 4-1 win against Gabon on Thursday.
The midfielder marked his impressive display by providing the assist for his side’s second goal scored by Chidera Ejuke in extra-time.
The former Leicester City star also set up Victor Osimhen in the final moments in the second half but the striker shot wide.
He was a member of the Super Eagles squad, under Gernot Rohr, that featured at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
By James Agberebi
15 Comments
Good news
Abeg make NFF double check o. I no wan hear story.
Super Eagles must exercise caution here o, this story appears like a wishy washy story of one man’s opinion. There’s nothing in this story that confirms an official enquiry by the NFF to CAF on this issue, neither is any official communication from FIFA or CAF to this effect.
Please for God’s sake, I take God beg SE coach Chelle, let Ndidi sit out this match on the stands, Raphael Onyedika or Frank Onyeka are capable options to replace Ndidi and perform well.
Unless of course NFF are able to obtain an official confirmation from FIFA / CAF in writing to this effect
There was a precedent set by FIFA for the UEFA playoffs for Qatar 2022 World cup. However, i hope the NFF has both CAF and FIFA official confirmation of the clearance.
Hey!! hey! Please o o beg una o. Make sure this is confirmed officially. “Ema ba t’emi je”
We have a lot of Ndidis on the bench that are equally good o.
All the best guys.
NFF shd pls double check this info with CAF & FIFA as we do not want story that touch at this time biko. Raphael and onyeka or even al Hassan shd be able to handle that sadiki of a guy, that boy energy is from another planet and chelle need to find a way to handle him.
VO pls play this game with caution and do not remove ur shirt again ooo, another yellow will make u miss the final playoff .
I’ve done the research with case studies. So, it makes sense because Caf applies the same rule in the CAF Champions League where Group stage yellow cards do not carry-over to the knockout stage. And Fifa allows confederations to reset cautions between rounds. Example, Zizo (Zamalek 2020/2021) received a yellow card during the group stage of the CAF CL, another one 1st leg of quarterfinal but he was not suspended and played the 2nd leg. This is because the yellow card during the group stage had been reset. Only existing suspensions apply e.g., Ajayi and other numerous examples in CAF CL.
Still NFF needs to obtain an official letter from CAF.
In truth, it would have been more reassuring if Ndidi’s eligibility had been confirmed by FIFA, instead of CAF, after all, this is a FIFA tournament.
Anyway, I was never a huge fan of Ndidi, until more recently; honestly he game has really matured in my eyes.
When Ndidi was being considered as one of the best defensive midfielders in the world, statistically (between 2019 to like 2022) I was unimpressed.
Would often say that his stock in trade was just timely tackles that looked good on paper, good for the stats. I used to refer to his game ‘by the numbers by the end’ because the numbers were phenomenal when it came to tackles, interceptions and retrievals.
I thought he was useless on the ball, wasteful in possession, unimaginative with long balls and woeful as a goal threat.
Not any more!
Whilst the numbers are not as impressive as they were in tackling, interceptions and retrievals, he all round game has “matured” exponentially.
His decision making is of the gods. His ball control is of the angels, his passes are celestial and his all round play is mythical.
As a goal threat, he is not at home. But he doesn’t need to be. Being a commanding presence in the middle is enough.
Mention must be made of his partnership with Iwobi which (in my view, despite the abuse I will receive from a nuisance) is solid and formidable. The exchange passes seamlessly, coordinate effortlessly and complement each other. Their years of playing together is paying dividends in the understanding they exhibit.
Also, those careless tackles have reduced: he played over a 100 minutes against Gabon on a yellow card.
Ndidi has definitely come of age and, should we make it to the world cup, he will be a hugely influential player in our quest to reach the quarter finals for the first time.
Nff is not stupid to feature a player in a match without getting an official clearance or confirmation from CAF/FIFA.
Meanwhile,it’s a great news for Nigeria because Wilfred Ndidi under Eric Chelle has matured.What i see him do these days is unbelievable he’s in a top top form.
Other players that have upped their games under Chelle are Chukwueze,Bassey and Bright Osayi-Samuel.
Chelle is a great manager,we’re winning tomorrow God’s willing!
Greenturf
Ehn hen mr man? Yuh mean am? Ok, continue.. yuh wii be surprise. Yuh pipo stii didn’t knew yur own NFF hehehe
Loool…Yabaoh!!!
Good point @Four Four Two Yabaoh. We need to be cautious as you say.
Then why was Ajayi benched because of suspension? Hmmm make this one no be set up of the highest order.
Ajayi case was diff. He already accumulated his yellow card before the playoff while ndidi has only one.
It would have made sense but super sport wrote Osimhen has 8 goals in the qualifiers. Should he score 2 tomorrow, that will be joint scorer record of 10 which is “not ideal” as the other leader isn’t competing in this playoff.
So, a reset is the best deal.