Super Eagles captain, Wilfred Ndidi has described representing Nigeria as a great honour and privilege, revealing how wearing the national colours comes with the responsibility of carrying the hopes of over 200 million Nigerians.
Speaking after Nigeria secured qualification to the Round of 16 at the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025, the Beşiktaş midfielder expressed his pride in the team’s achievement while highlighting the steady progress being made within the squad.
“We Have Crossed This Line” – Wilfred Ndidi on RO16 Qualification
Ndidi began by acknowledging the importance of Nigeria’s advancement to the knockout stage, noting that crossing the group-stage hurdle was a key milestone in the team’s journey.
“I must say I’m very happy. At least we have crossed this line. We are now to the next round of the tournament.”
The Super Eagles booked their place in the Round of 16 after back-to-back victories, reinforcing their status as one of the early qualifiers in the competition.
The Super Eagles skipper emphasized that tournament football is about continuous improvement, with each match offering lessons and opportunities to grow.
“And by the grace of God, in this kind of tournament, you always try to look at the performance of the boys, match in, match out.”
Ndidi pointed out that the team has shown visible improvement compared to their previous outing.
“Now we have seen a lot of progress from the last match. And I know there’s some little hiccups that we have in this game.”
Wilfred Ndidi Acknowledges Squad Weaknesses
Nigeria have enjoyed strong results with two wins from two games, however, the captain admitted that the performance was not flawless and revealed that both players and coaches are aware of areas that need correction.
“The coaches are aware of it as well as the players. We hope to see a better game against Uganda.”
His commented that the squad is committed to self-assessment and growth as they prepare for their final Group C fixture.
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“A Privilege and a Responsibility”
Beyond the immediate results, Ndidi shared what it truly means to represent Nigeria at the highest level, describing national duty as both an honour and a heavy responsibility.
The newly appointed Super Eagles captain stressed that every player dreams of wearing the green and white jersey and revealed that he always gives his best in the hope of inspiring the next generation, just as he once looked up to senior players during his early days.
For Ndidi, leadership goes beyond the armband; it is about setting standards, encouraging teammates, and reminding everyone of the weight and pride that comes with playing for Nigeria.
Focus Shifts to Uganda
With qualification already secured, attention now turns to Nigeria’s final group-stage match against Uganda, where the Super Eagles will look to refine their performance and build momentum ahead of the knockout rounds.
Date: Tuesday, 30th of December, 2025
Venue: Fes, Morocco
Time: 17:00 GMT (Nigerian time)
