Former Nigerian international Sunday Oliseh has urged head coach Eric Chelle to appoint Wilfried Ndidi as captain of the national team ahead of this month’s African Cup of Nations, SportPremi reports.
Beşiktaş midfielder Wilfred Ndidi is currently the Super Eagles’ vice-captain, while William Troost-Ekong wears the captain’s armband.
The 28-year-old has led the team in recent outings in the absence of Ekong, who has seen his role reduced due to the emergence of young defender Benjamin Fredrick.
The Super Eagles missed out on World Cup qualification after suffering defeat to the Democratic Republic of Congo in the CAF playoff final.
- Read more here: Eric Chelle names Preliminaries Squad for AFCON 2025
Frank Onyeka gave them Nigeria lead in the first half, before Meschak Elia equalized for the Leopard before halftime.
The game went to penalty shootout after 120 minutes of action, where DR Congo prevailed to advance to the intercontinental playoff rounds.
Attention will now shift to this month’s African Cup of Nations in Morocco, where the team will compete to win a fourth continental crown.
Oliseh identifies Ndidi as ideal captain material
According to Sunday Oliseh who has previously been at the dugout of the Nigerian national team, Wilfried Ndidi has the qualities to lead the national team.
“At the moment, I think nobody doubts the respect the players have for Ndidi. And he’s a player that plays every game.
“I am not trying to push for who is going to be captain, but I think Ndidi is already the captain anyways because he captained the last game”, Oliseh revealed.
“On the player’s side, this is where whoever is the leader of the team, this is where he has to show the Oliseh Keshi leadership.
That is, don’t wait for the NFF to start calling the players to come to camp. You as a captain, like I used to do and what Keshi used to do, you call the players privately and let them know, boss me, I am getting to the camp.”
On Nigeria’s chances at the AFCON
“I am very optimistic that the Super Eagles can do well at this tournament. The first thing the manager has to do is that he has to grow a little bit stubborn”, Oliseh continued.
“He has to grow stubborn because it is no secret that people from outside will try to influence who plays who doesn’t play.
“I think he has to grow stubborn and stand his ground and show personality that he is responsible.”
Nigeria begin their campaign at the AFCON tournament against Tanzania on the 23rd of this month.
