Former Leicester City Star Wilfred Ndidi Mourns Tragic Loss of Father
The football world is in mourning today following the tragic death of Sunday Ndidi, father of former Premier League midfielder Wilfred Ndidi, in a fatal car crash. The devastating news was confirmed by Ndidi's current club, Turkish giants Besiktas, who released an emotional statement expressing their profound sorrow.
Club Statement Confirms Heartbreaking News
Besiktas confirmed the tragic passing in an official club statement that read: "We are deeply saddened to learn of the tragic passing of our footballer Wilfred Ndidi's esteemed father, Sunday Ndidi, in a fatal traffic accident. May Allah grant mercy to the deceased; we extend our condolences to our footballer Wilfred Ndidi, his family, and loved ones."
The accident occurred on Tuesday morning in Nigeria, where Sunday Ndidi served as a soldier. The 29-year-old midfielder, who joined Besiktas in a £10million move from Leicester City last summer, is now receiving support from both his current and former clubs during this difficult period.
Ndidi's Illustrious Career and Recent International Duty
Wilfred Ndidi enjoyed an eight-year spell at Leicester City, making over 300 appearances for the Foxes including 220 in the Premier League. The Nigerian international played a crucial role in Leicester's memorable 2021 FA Cup triumph against Chelsea, cementing his place in the club's history.
Most recently, Ndidi represented Nigeria at the Africa Cup of Nations, where he started four of their first five matches before suffering an injury that ruled him out of their semi-final clash with Morocco. Despite this setback, Nigeria went on to secure third place in the tournament, beating Egypt in a penalty shootout.
Heartwarming Tribute to His Father During Tournament
In a poignant moment during the Africa Cup of Nations, Ndidi scored in Nigeria's 3-2 victory against Tunisia in the group stage and dedicated his goal to his father. Speaking after the match, the midfielder revealed: "I actually told myself before the game that if I scored, I had to do it for my dad. He's the one who pushed me into football and always told me stories of the greats."
Ndidi specifically celebrated his goal in tribute to former Arsenal striker Nwankwo Kanu, explaining: "It was for Papilo, the legend Kanu Nwankwo. Growing up, my dad was a huge fan of Kanu. In our house, Kanu was the ultimate hero. My dad always talked about his grace, his goals, and how he represented Nigeria."
Father's Influence on Football Career
In a 2017 interview with the Leicester Mercury, Ndidi opened up about his father's initial reluctance towards his football career. "My family were not really into football. My dad wanted me to go to school, not play football," he revealed. "My dad watched it on the television but he didn't want me to play football. He is a soldier, but he didn't want me to follow in his footsteps, he just wanted me to go to school."
Despite these initial reservations, Sunday Ndidi ultimately became one of his son's biggest supporters, with Wilfred adding: "Celebrating like Kanu in a Super Eagles jersey is my way of saying thank you to my father for all his support and for showing me the way. It's a very proud moment for my family."
The football community has rallied around the grieving midfielder, with messages of support pouring in from fans, former teammates, and clubs across Europe. Ndidi's journey from the Nath Boys academy in Nigeria to becoming a Premier League stalwart and international captain stands as testament to both his talent and the support of his family.
