Nigeria vs Tanzania, for many Nigerians, was just another game at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), a tournament we have often impressed at, yet repeatedly fallen short at the most important moments. The killer outfits, the group-stage swagger, and the eventual knockout-stage heartbreak: the familiar beauty of the AFCON every Nigerian football hopeful has grown accustomed to.
For Wilfred Ndidi, however, Nigeria vs Tanzania was an opportunity to make a statement on the pitch and define his era as one of the few playing captains at an AFCON tournament for the Super Eagles.
Ndidi marked his senior debut for Nigeria in October 2015 under Sunday Oliseh, in a 2–0 loss to DR Congo (yes, those guys). Playing just eight minutes, he laid the foundation for what has become a decade-long Super Eagles career. Since then, he has cemented his place as Nigeria’s starting defensive midfielder, providing the much-needed screen for a backline that at times, generates its own problems with mind-boggling moments that stand at variance with their perceived quality.
As expected in a game that delivered goals and three points to kick-start another AFCON campaign, the Man of the Match award was rightly handed to Semi Ajayi, who rose highest in the box to nod Nigeria in front, breaking the resilience of a stubborn Tanzania side determined to prove they belonged at AFCON.
Nigeria’s freedom to attack, and the platform upon which Eric Chelle’s bold two-man forward setup was built, however, rested squarely on the shoulders of Wilfred Ndidi. Deployed in a two-man midfield alongside Alexander Iwobi, Ndidi had clear instructions to provide defensive cover for Iwobi, recycle possession, and as expected, sit in the hole.
Wilfred transcended those instructions, redefining the role of a defensive midfielder in an attacker-laden Nigerian side. He screened the backline, recycled possession in the hole, and progressively carried the ball forward when needed, appearing as frequently on the edge of Tanzania’s box as he did on the edge of ours.
At times, Ndidi was even ahead of Iwobi on the pitch, winning balls higher up, mopping up loose possession in the attacking third, and recycling it quickly to sustain pressure on the Tanzanian defence.
For a player who has spent the last three years in the eye of the storm, with fans, pundits, and ex-players consistently questioning his place and proposing alternatives, Wilfred Ndidi once again proved why the defensive midfield position for Nigeria will remain his for the foreseeable future.
In Egypt, Mikel Obi struggled to break into Gernot Rohr’s AFCON squad. In 2022 and 2024, Ahmed Musa was used sparingly for the Super Eagles. The 2025 AFCON marks the first of the last four tournaments in which the captain’s armband is worn by a guaranteed starter, domicilling leadership on and off the pitch in the same person.
Nigeria’s progress or otherwise at this AFCON, will be heavily dependent on how well Wilfred Ndidi performs his role. If yesterday’s performance is any indication, Nigeria can go the distance.
