Wilfred Ndidi scores first Besiktas European goal before Nigeria’s AFCON qualifiers

Wilfred Ndidi scored his first European goal for Besiktas as they drew 2-2 with Crystal Palace in the Europa League, giving Nigeria captain a timely boost before the Super Eagles’ two AFCON qualifiers against Tanzania in November.

Ndidi opened the scoring in the second minute of first-half stoppage time in Istanbul. The midfielder met a long pass from Salih Ozcan, ran through on goal and finished beyond Crystal Palace goalkeeper Walter Benitez.

It was Besiktas’s first shot on target of the match and Ndidi’s first goal for the club in European competition.

The result leaves Besiktas eighth in the 36-team Europa League table with seven points. Their next European fixture is away to Celtic.

A bonus for Besiktas’s defensive midfielder

Ndidi’s primary responsibility is to shield the defence, meaning goals are not normally used to judge his contribution. Even so, his first European strike for Besiktas is a notable milestone, particularly because it came from a well-timed run onto a long pass rather than from a set-piece situation.

The goal does not suggest that his role has changed, nor should one finish be taken as a measure of his entire season. Its importance lies more in the timing and the level at which he is performing.

With Nigeria preparing for crucial AFCON qualifying matches against Tanzania in November, Ndidi is continuing to play regularly in one of Europe’s major club competitions. That gives coach Chelle a captain operating at a high level in the weeks before the squad is selected.

Nigeria’s route to AFCON 2027 is narrow. Soccernet has explained why the Super Eagles’ qualification hopes run through Tanzania, while Chelle is reported to be considering new players, including Banik Ostrava defender Abdullahi Bewene.

A captain arriving for international duty with confidence would provide stability to a squad facing an important stage of the qualifying campaign. Ndidi’s goal alone does not alter Nigeria’s prospects, but it offers a positive sign as the midfielder continues to settle into his new club.

For Chelle, the value of the goal is therefore less about Ndidi becoming an attacking player and more about the leadership and assurance he can bring into the Nigeria camp. A first European goal gives the Super Eagles captain another reason to approach the Tanzania fixtures with confidence.