Sunday Oliseh Reveals Why Wilfred Ndidi Should Be Super Eagles’ New Captain

Sunday Oliseh has praised Wilfred Ndidi for the way he has quietly taken on a leadership role within the Super Eagles, saying the Besiktas midfielder now commands genuine respect from his teammates.

Speaking on the Oliseh Insight Podcast as Nigeria steps up their preparations for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, the former national team captain said Wilfred Ndidi has shown the kind of maturity and consistency that naturally draws players towards him.

“At the moment, I think nobody doubts the respect the players have for Ndidi. And he’s a player that plays every game,” Oliseh said.

“I am not trying to push for who is going to be captain, but I think Ndidi is already the captain anyway because he captained the last game.”

Oliseh, who once wore the armband before coaching the team, urged whoever is eventually appointed captain to adopt a more proactive style of leadership.

He recalled how he and the late Stephen Keshi set the tone during their time by taking personal responsibility for keeping the squad together.

“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,” he said.

“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.”

He added that strong leaders go beyond routine duties by arranging with their clubs to arrive early to camp and encouraging teammates to do the same.

“We are resuming on the ninth, I have already arranged with my club, I should be there on the eighth as a captain, I will be there on the ninth please make sure you’re there on the ninth, this is Morocco, flights are coming in the morning, that way you already have the first training session as a group,” he said.

Oliseh also offered a word of advice to Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle, urging him to stand firm and remain focused as he builds his squad for the continental tournament.

“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,” he said.

“He has to grow stubborn because it is no secret that people from outside will try to influence who plays and who doesn’t play. I think he has to grow stubborn and stand his ground and show personality that he is responsible.”