Wilfred Ndidi has been cleared to play in Sunday’s World Cup playoff against DR Congo after CAF clarified his suspension status.
TEAM NEWS UPDATE 📰
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. pic.twitter.com/hJNYMxdr64
— 🇳🇬 Super Eagles (@NGSuperEagles) November 15, 2025
Wilfred Ndidi has been cleared to feature in Sunday’s decisive 2026 FIFA World Cup playoff against DR Congo, ending nearly two days of uncertainty that unsettled both the Super Eagles and their supporters, according to a report from PREMIUM TIMES.
The Super Eagles announced the development on their official X page on Saturday, confirming that CAF had clarified the midfielder’s eligibility. The team stated: “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 confusion followed Ndidi’s early yellow card in Nigeria’s 4–1 extra-time victory over Gabon, which many interpreted as triggering an automatic suspension. Conflicting reports intensified after journalist Osasu Obayiuwana posted that FIFA had allegedly cancelled an earlier yellow card, raising questions about communication gaps between FIFA, CAF, and the NFF.
Within the camp, head coach Eric Chelle had spoken as though Ndidi would miss the match, hinting that Raphael Onyedika or Frank Onyeka might replace him.
Ndidi’s reinstatement offers a major boost for Nigeria as they prepare to face a confident DR Congo side that eliminated Cameroon with a stoppage-time winner. With CAF’s clarification, the Super Eagles can now focus fully on Sunday’s clash in Rabat, with renewed morale and tactical stability.