Sports
NFF Mourns Ndidi’s Father After Fatal Road Accident
The Nigeria Football Federation is in mourning after the death of Mr. Sunday Ndidi, the father of Super Eagles captain Wilfred Ndidi, who died in a road accident in Delta State.
The incident happened on Tuesday in Umunede, close to Agbor, where the retired military officer was involved in a traffic crash. He was taken to a hospital in Agbor, but doctors later confirmed that he did not survive.
Reacting to the loss, the NFF General Secretary, Mohammed Sanusi, said the news came as a heavy shock to the football body.
He explained that Ndidi had only recently given his best to the country at the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, where Nigeria won the bronze medal.
He added that the player had returned to Turkey with strong hope of helping his club succeed this season and leading the national team to better results this year.
Sanusi also said the federation was praying for God to grant rest to the late Mr. Ndidi and to give comfort to Wilfred Ndidi, his brothers and sisters, and the entire family during the difficult time.
Ndidi’s club in Turkey, Besiktas, also confirmed the death and sent condolences to the midfielder and his family, asking for mercy for the departed soul and strength for those left behind.
Wilfred Ndidi, who recently became captain of the Super Eagles after William Troost-Ekong, played an important role in Nigeria’s third-place finish at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
He also scored his first goal for the national team during the tournament and later dedicated the moment to his late father and former Super Eagles captain Kanu Nwankwo.
League toppers Arsenal on Tuesday announced endorsement of two of its players.
In a separate statement via their website, the Gunners confirmed that versatile midfielder Ife Ibrahim and full-back Josiah King had signed their first professional contracts with the club.
This comes ahead of Arsenal’s UEFA Champions League tie with Kairat on Wednesday.
Ibrahim joined Arsenal when he was seven years old, and now, 11 years later, he has put pen to paper on his first senior contract.
“I think it’s a blessing, you know, a great opportunity,” Ibrahim told Arsenal’s website.
It’s something I have been dreaming about for a long time. So it’s always good to achieve something that you’ve always wanted to achieve. I am happy about that,” King added.
Nigeria’s chances of reaching the 2026 FIFA World Cup are still very much alive, following fresh clarity on an eligibility case involving the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) that is yet to be decided by FIFA.
Checks as of January 27, 2026, indicate that the petition filed by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) over DR Congo’s alleged use of ineligible players during the World Cup qualifying playoffs is still under active consideration. Contrary to rumours making the rounds online, the case has neither been dismissed nor concluded.
The petition is understood to focus on six DR Congo players whose eligibility during the playoff phase has been questioned by the NFF.
According to reports, FIFA is expected to issue a final decision in February 2026, when an official announcement will be made public.
The outcome of the case could have serious implications for Africa’s qualification picture. DR Congo is currently scheduled to play a decisive playoff match in March 2026 against the winner of the intercontinental tie between Jamaica and New Caledonia, with the victor securing the final World Cup ticket. Any negative ruling against DR Congo before then could significantly alter the race.
Adding to the confusion are unverified reports that emerged after the controversial AFCON 2025 final between Senegal and hosts Morocco. Some claims suggested possible sanctions against Senegal, including a World Cup ban, with Nigeria allegedly set to benefit. However, there has been no official confirmation of such reports, and they remain speculative.
For now, Nigeria’s clearest path back into contention hinges on FIFA’s ruling in the DR Congo eligibility case. Until a formal decision is announced, the Super Eagles remain in limbo but their World Cup hopes are not yet over. As February draws closer, all eyes remain on FIFA, whose verdict could yet reshape Africa’s final qualification landscape.
Nigeria’s chances of reaching the 2026 FIFA World Cup are still very much alive, following fresh clarity on an eligibility case involving the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) that is yet to be decided by FIFA.
Checks as of January 27, 2026, indicate that the petition filed by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) over DR Congo’s alleged use of ineligible players during the World Cup qualifying playoffs is still under active consideration. Contrary to rumours making the rounds online, the case has neither been dismissed nor concluded.
The petition is understood to focus on six DR Congo players whose eligibility during the playoff phase has been questioned by the NFF.
According to reports, FIFA is expected to issue a final decision in February 2026, when an official announcement will be made public.
The outcome of the case could have serious implications for Africa’s qualification picture. DR Congo is currently scheduled to play a decisive playoff match in March 2026 against the winner of the intercontinental tie between Jamaica and New Caledonia, with the victor securing the final World Cup ticket. Any negative ruling against DR Congo before then could significantly alter the race.
Adding to the confusion are unverified reports that emerged after the controversial AFCON 2025 final between Senegal and hosts Morocco. Some claims suggested possible sanctions against Senegal, including a World Cup ban, with Nigeria allegedly set to benefit. However, there has been no official confirmation of such reports, and they remain speculative.
For now, Nigeria’s clearest path back into contention hinges on FIFA’s ruling in the DR Congo eligibility case. Until a formal decision is announced, the Super Eagles remain in limbo but their World Cup hopes are not yet over. As February draws closer, all eyes remain on FIFA, whose verdict could yet reshape Africa’s final qualification landscape.
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