Nigeria and Beşiktaş midfielder Wilfred Ndidi is mourning the loss of his father, Sunday Ndidi, who died in a tragic road traffic accident, the Turkish Super Lig club confirmed on Tuesday.
In an official statement, Beşiktaş expressed condolences to Ndidi and his family, saying, “We have learned with great sadness that our player Wilfred Ndidi’s beloved father, Sunday Ndidi, has lost his life in a tragic traffic accident. We pray for the deceased and extend our condolences to our player, his family, and loved ones.”
The club further added, “We are deeply saddened by this tragic loss. May Allah grant mercy to the deceased, and we extend our heartfelt sympathies to Wilfred Ndidi, his family, and loved ones.”
Details regarding the circumstances of the accident were not immediately available.
Ndidi, one of Nigeria’s most prominent football exports, has built a distinguished career in Europe and remains a key figure for the national team. He recently represented Nigeria in the 2025 African Cup of Nations in Morocco, where he pledged to personally pay his teammates’ outstanding win bonuses if the government failed to do so before the quarterfinal against Algeria.
The pledge came amid announcements from the Federal Government and the Central Bank of Nigeria, which said they had overhauled payment processes for Super Eagles bonuses to prevent future disputes. Dr. Doris Nkiruka Uzoka-Anite, Minister of State for Finance, confirmed the implementation of new measures to ensure timely payments to players during major tournaments.
Ndidi’s loss is a personal tragedy for the footballer, coming at a time when he continues to lead both his club and national team with distinction.
