Wilfred Ndidi: The Rebirth of a Super Eagles Midfielder

In truth, it would have been more reassuring if Ndidi’s eligibility (to feature in the last World Cup qualification play-off) had been confirmed by FIFA, instead of CAF, after all, this is a FIFA tournament.

Anyway, I was never a huge fan of the former Leicester City man, until more recently; honestly his game has really matured in my eyes compared to when I saw it as juvenile and merely exuberant.

When Ndidi was considered as one of the best defensive midfielders in the world, statistically (between 2019 to like 2022) I was largely unimpressed.

I would uld often ween that his stock in trade was just timely tackles that looked good on paper, good for the stats. Essential I saw him as one-dimensional. I used to refer to his game as being only ‘by the numbers by the end’ because the numbers were phenomenal when it came to tackles, interceptions and retrievals. But I felt he lacked other core capabilities of a well rounded midfielder.

I thought he was useless on the ball, wasteful in possession, unimaginative with long balls and woeful as a goal threat.

Not any more!

Whilst the numbers are not as impressive as they were in tackling, interceptions and retrievals, his all round game has “matured” exponentially.

His decision making is of the gods. His ball control is of the angels, his passes are celestial and his all round play is now mythical.

As a goal threat, he is not at home, not yet but he is getting closer. Some would argue, though, that he doesn’t need to be a goal threat. Being a commanding presence in the middle is enough.

Mention must be made of his partnership with Iwobi which (in my view, despite the abuse I will receive from some shallow minded fans) is solid and formidable. They exchange passes seamlessly, coordinate effortlessly and complement each other in well curated and choreographed movements.

Their years of playing together is paying dividends in the understanding they exhibit.

Also, those careless tackles have reduced: he played over a 100 minutes against Gabon on a yellow card.

Ndidi has definitely come of age and, should we make it to the world cup, he will be a hugely influential player in our quest to reach the quarter finals for the first time.