Super Eagles captain Wilfred Ndidi will miss the team’s semi-final clash with hosts Morocco, Completesports.com reports.
Ndidi was booked in the 67th minute of Nigeria’s 2-0 quarter-final victory over the Desert Foxes of Algeria.
It was the midfielder’s second booking in the knockout round of the ongoing 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
Read Also:AFCON 2025: How Dominant Super Eagles Rated In Win Over Algeria
The Besiktas star was also cautioned in the Super Eagles’ Round of 16 encounter against the Mambas of Mozambique.
Club Brugge star Raphael Onyedika is expected to take Ndidi’s place in the starting line-up against Morocco.
The last four fixture is slated for Rabat next week Wednesday.
Morocco defeated the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon 2-0 to earn a berth in the semi-finals.
By Adeboye Amosu
2 Comments
Ndidi will be sorely missed. Most pipo won’t understand ndidi’s importance until he isn’t there. The fact dat Iwobi has d license to be creative is mainly due to d understanding and partnership he has struck with Ndidi. Ndidi brings calm and balance to d team. His composure on d ball is unquestionable, he may not be as athletic anymore but his presence in dat midfield can’t be understated. Me personally will always play him ahead to Onyedika bcos of d balance and leadership he brings to d team. See how he masterfully controlled and dictated play in d midfiekd with d help of Iwobi and Onyeka (they reminded me of busquet-Xavi-Iniesta). Who in d team will be able to calm VO9 down wen he flares up again. He will be missed for sure. Ndidi dat was once touted as one of d best mudfielders in d EPL can’t be dat bad. I hope Onyedika and Iwobi can create such patnership and power 9ja to victory against Morocco. Ndidi wen u r done with 9ja is wen pipo will recognize ur greatness. As good as Mikel was, nigerians labeled him sideways passer both for club and country. Just my tot
This is a big loss to the team. The influence of Ndidi on the team’s composure is obvious. He is the reason why our midfield is compact defensively and progressively. Onyedika has his own quality but lacks the experience and composure you get from Ndidi..
Unlike Onyedika who prefers flamboyant display, Ndidi’s simplicity saves the team from silly loose balls in critical areas.
Bedides, Onyeka and Onyedika combination has not been really impressive in the games they played together.
The coach will have to find the right combination for the crucial semi final.
Going to war without the real leader can be tough. I’m banking on Chelle’s to explore the right formation with thr best available players.