Wilfred Ndidi Recreates Kanu’s Iconic Celebration After Scoring First Super Eagles Goal

 

Super Eagles captain Wilfred Ndidi has revealed the inspiration behind his decision to recreate Nwankwo Kanu’s legendary celebration following Nigeria’s dramatic 3-2 victory over Tunisia at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

The Besiktas midfielder marked the occasion by scoring his first senior international goal—a milestone that came after more than a decade representing Nigeria across various age levels.

Nigeria secured the win in their second Group C match, ensuring early qualification for the knockout stages and maintaining strong form in the tournament.

First International Goal After a Decade

Ndidi scored in the second half, heading in a corner delivered by Ademola Lookman to give Nigeria a decisive lead before Tunisia’s late comeback attempt. Reflecting on the achievement, the captain described the goal as a deeply personal moment.

“It was really special. After a decade, scoring my first goal is amazing, and we got the win, which is even more important,” Ndidi said.

Paying Tribute to Kanu and Family Inspiration

After finding the net, Ndidi honored Nigerian football legend Nwankwo Kanu by recreating the iconic celebration associated with Kanu’s heroics at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games.

Explaining his gesture, Ndidi credited his father as the inspiration:

“I just remembered my dad. He always talks about Kanu. I had seen the video and said I would do that one for him,” he explained.

Staying Focused on the Bigger Objective

Despite the personal milestone and team victory, Ndidi emphasized that the Super Eagles are keeping their focus on the overall tournament goals.

“It’s just two games. We still have the next match to play, and we cannot relax. The most important thing is the next game. We go back to the drawing board, review our mistakes, and improve,” he said.

Comfort in Fes and Managing Fatigue

Ndidi also commented on the team’s base in Fes, praising the hospitality and hinting at a preference to remain there for the remainder of the group stage.

“The people in Fes are really welcoming and kind. We’ll try as much as possible to stay here,” he said.

Regarding concerns about fatigue after a physically demanding, rain-affected match, Ndidi remained positive:

“It didn’t affect us. Of course, the last 15 or 20 minutes were intense, but that’s normal,” he noted.

Message to Nigerian Supporters

Closing with a message to fans back home, Ndidi expressed gratitude and encouragement:

“Just sit at home, enjoy, and keep supporting the team. We are doing everything we can to make the country proud, and we’ll continue to do that. Happy New Year.”

Nigeria will conclude their group-stage campaign against Uganda on Tuesday, with qualification already secured, allowing the team to focus on preparation for the knockout stages.

Source: Gistreel