Nigeria confirm new captain for AFCON
by KickOff Reporter · KickOffNigeri have confirmed their new captain ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations opener.
The Super Eagles were stunned a few weeks before the tournament after William Troost-Ekong announced his shock retirement from international football.
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It has now been confirmed by the Super Eagles that Besiktas midfielder Wilfred Ndidi will wear the captain's armband for the tournament in Morocco.
Former Nigeria striker Odion Ighalo felt Victor Osimhen should have been the skipper.
“There are several players ahead of him (as senior players), but now Osimhen is doing well and he has the balls to demand what the team wants,” said Ighalo as quoted by ESPN.
“Ndidi is not the talking type, he’s a very calm guy, but Osimhen is outspoken, he is going to speak on behalf of the team, he’s going to ginger the boys, he’s going to fight for the boys, he will speak to anybody he needs to speak to make sure they are okay.
“The captain job is not easy because your neck in on the line, because whatever the boys demand it’s you that will put it forward to the NFF. And if NFF want to come for anybody, they are coming for you because you are the captain.”
The Super Eagles will start their Africa Cup of Nations campaign against Tanzania Tuesday.