Leicester City midfielder, Wilfred Ndidi, is available for Super Eagles selection in the upcoming FIFA international break between match 18 to 24, after making his long-awaited return from injury as a second-half substitute in the Foxes 1-0 win at Sunderland on Tuesday.
He replaced Yunus Akgun after 72 minutes at the Stadium of Light as Leicester secured the victory thanks to Jamie Vardy’s 13th minute goal.
Ndidi had been sidelined for over two months with a muscle problem, which ruled him out of the 2023 AFCON in Ivory Coast. He also last played for Leicester December 29, 2023 during their 2-0 win at Cardiff.
The 27-year-old’s return is also a huge boost for Enzo Maresca’s men as they continue to push for an immediate return to the Premier League. They are currently top of the Championship table with 81 points after 36 games – three points above Ipswich Town. Before his injury, Ndidi had scored two goals and provided five assists in 21 appearances across all competitions for Leicester this season.
“I’m very happy. We need him, Wilf is so important to us, so, it’s good to have him back,” the coach told the club website.
Although the Nigeria Football Federation is yet to announce any opponents for the next FIFA break, Nigerians will hope he stays fit with crucial 2026 World Cup qualifiers against South Africa and Zimbabwe on the horizon in June.
In Ndidi’s absence at the AFCON, Antwerp midfielder Alhassan Yusuf flashed, while Brentford man Frank Onyeka eventually stepped up to the plate for the team.
“It was really bad for me not to be there but I’m so happy for the team because even from last year, this is what we have been planning, to go for the AFCON,” Ndidi told Sky Sports during the team’s impressive run at the AFCON.
“Just try as much as possible to get to the final. We planned to win games, which gets you to the next stage.”
