Besiktas have explained why Super Eagles captain Wilfred Ndidi was unable to feature in Nigeria’s third-place playoff against Egypt at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, footynaija.com reports.
Ndidi, who was expected to return after missing the semi-final against Morocco through suspension, was surprisingly left on the bench as Raphael Onyedika once again started in midfield. He did not play a single minute of the match, which Nigeria went on to win on penalties after a goalless draw.
The Turkish club have now confirmed that the 29-year-old is suffering from a hamstring injury he picked up earlier in the tournament.
Beşiktaş announced that Wilfred Ndidi, who was injured during the Africa Cup of Nations, has been diagnosed with a strain and bleeding in the hamstring muscle of his left thigh, and that his treatment has begun.
In a statement, the club said:
“Our player Wilfred Ndidi, who was unable to continue playing in the 70th minute of Nigeria’s Africa Cup of Nations match against Algeria due to pain in his left hamstring, has been diagnosed with a strain and bleeding in his hamstring (biceps femoris) following an MRI scan performed by the Nigerian National Team Medical Staff.”
Ndidi has returned to Turkey and will miss Besiktas’ immediate matches, although no timeline has been given for his return.
Despite the injury, Ndidi was one of Nigeria’s standout performers at AFCON 2025, scoring his first international goal against Tunisia and featuring in all the team’s wins. He later sent a message to Nigerians, promising the Super Eagles will return stronger and fight to win the 2027 tournament.
Nigeria claimed a record-extending ninth AFCON bronze medal in Morocco after securing a silver medal at the 2023 edition of the tournament.
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