Ndidi Promises Strong Start for Super Eagles Against Madagascar

Wilfred Ndidi, the captain of the Super Eagles, has committed to ensuring that Nigeria does not replicate the poor start that hindered their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign. As they prepare to begin their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying campaign against Madagascar at 5 p.m. on September 25, Ndidi reflected on the lessons learned from the previous campaign, where Nigeria struggled initially before recovering too late.

He emphasized the importance of a strong start, stating, “The start was really, really poor, really bad,” and assured that it would not happen again due to the team's focus. Ndidi believes that a positive result against Madagascar will boost the team's confidence for future qualifiers.

He also advised his teammates to concentrate on their performances and accumulate points without being distracted by external pressures. Historically, Nigeria has a favorable record against Madagascar in AFCON qualifying, winning three and drawing one of their four previous encounters.