The Super Eagles have received a major lift after CAF confirmed that Wilfred Ndidi is eligible to play in Sunday’s high-stakes 2026 FIFA World Cup playoff final against DR Congo, ending almost 48 hours of uncertainty over the midfielder’s status.
In a post on their official X account on Saturday, the team revealed that CAF had clarified its disciplinary rules, stressing that yellow cards collected during the World Cup qualifiers do not carry over into the playoff stage. Only players with confirmed suspensions are barred.
“CAF has confirmed that Wilfred Ndidi is eligible to feature for the Super Eagles in Sunday’s playoff clash against DR Congo. Cautions accumulated during the World Cup qualifiers do not carry over into the playoffs; only confirmed suspensions apply,” the statement read.
The update effectively reverses an earlier position taken by the NFF. On Friday, the federation—through its communications director, Dr Ademola Olajire—announced that Ndidi would be unavailable after picking up a second yellow card during Thursday’s 4–1 extra-time victory over Gabon.
Head coach Éric Chelle had already spoken about preparing to cope without the Leicester City midfielder, praising his leadership and experience while hinting at midfield reshuffles involving Raphael Onyedika and Frank Onyeka. Onyeka had impressed particularly in extra time against Gabon, while centre-back Semi Ajayi was expected to return after serving a suspension.
The late clarification comes just after Ndidi celebrated his 70th cap for Nigeria, delivering a strong midfield performance and supplying an assist.
His availability is a huge boost as Nigeria brace for a resurgent DR Congo side that stunned Cameroon with a stoppage-time winner to reach Sunday’s final in Rabat.
Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong has acknowledged the scale of the challenge ahead but insists Nigeria have the firepower to prevail.
“There is no doubt that the Congolese will be a big challenge. They got here because they are tough and ambitious,” Ekong said on Saturday. “We have a big group here and only four of us have been to a World Cup. The adrenaline and motivation to qualify is massive.”
Nigeria and DR Congo—five African titles between them—will battle for the continent’s ticket to next March’s Intercontinental Playoffs in Mexico, where two spots at the 2026 World Cup are up for grabs.
Chelle’s squad is fully available, including Alex Iwobi, set for his 91st cap, and Moses Simon on 87. DR Congo, meanwhile, arrive with a dangerous side featuring Cédric Bakambu, Nathaniel Mbuku, Theo Bongonda, Fiston Mayele, and a solid defence anchored by Aaron Wan-Bissaka and captain Chancel Mbemba, who is eyeing his 101st appearance.
Ekong says the objective is clear: “We didn’t take the automatic ticket, but now we have a second chance—and we won’t waste it.”
