“It’s an honour I will never take for granted” – Wilfred Ndidi relishes career privilege

By Saheed Afolabi

Nigeria midfielder Wilfred Ndidi has expressed his deep appreciation for the unique opportunity he has to play football at the highest level, both for his club and country.

Ndidi, who has earned a reputation as one of Nigeria’s most reliable players, considers it a rare privilege to represent a nation of over 200 million people.

He emphasized that wearing the Super Eagles jersey is an honor he cherishes deeply and will never take for granted.

“It’s a massive privilege. Representing a nation of over 200 million people is an honour that I will never take for granted,” Ndidi told media.

“I feel a rush of emotions every time we sing the national anthem. The intensity of the moment is indescribable, reminding me of how the community would react with reverence as the anthem played during my childhood.”

Ndidi went on to highlight football’s profound impact on Nigerian society. For many, the game is a lifestyle, offering not only joy but also a sense of unity and pride that transcends tribal and regional divides.

“Football is a lifestyle, a potent source of joy and passion, and for many, it provides an escape,” he said.

“Football truly brings the nation together. No one cares about your background or tribe; it’s about the shared love for the game. The experience of gathering to watch football is unparalleled. Take, for instance, a World Cup match coinciding with an election; people would choose to watch football over everything else.”

The Super Eagles midfielder also spoke about the positive influence football has on Nigerian society, noting how it helps divert young people from harmful activities.

“It’s woven into our culture. Every child aspires to play. As Patson Daka aptly put it, football helps steer people away from undesirable activities,” Ndidi added.

“Football isn’t just huge; it embodies the spirit of Nigeria, alongside the overwhelming support we receive.”

Samuel Ahmadu

Samuel Ahmadu is a distinguished multimedia journalist and women's football expert with over 15 years of experience in the industry. He began his career at Goal.com in February 2014, where he served as an African women's football correspondent for nearly eight years. During his tenure at Goal.com, Samuel covered major events such as three Women's Africa Cup of Nations (2016, 2018, 2022) and the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada plus 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. His work at Goal.com earned him widespread acclaim, particularly for his in-depth profiles of African football stars, notably Asisat Oshoala, whose rise he documented from her early years to her breakthrough at the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup in 2014. Prior to his role at Goal.com, Samuel freelanced for various print and broadcast media outlets in Nigeria, including Graphics Newspaper, Radio Nigeria, Grace FM, and Savid Newspaper. His extensive experience and expertise led to his appointment to the Nigeria Football Federation's Standing Committee on Women's Football Development from 2016 to 2018. Since February 2018, Samuel has been the Social Media Manager for Nigeria's women's national teams.In 2019, Samuel joined the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as a women's football content contributor and was promoted to Women's Football Editor in 2021. His contributions to women's football continued as he worked as a Media Consultant for Content Creation and Editorials at the 2022 CAF Women's Champions League. Currently, Samuel also serves as the spokesman for the Nigeria Women Football League, further solidifying his influence and dedication to the growth of women's football in Africa.

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