The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has confirmed that Super Eagles midfielder Wilfred Ndidi is free to play in Sunday’s decisive World Cup playoff against the Democratic Republic of Congo, easing the concerns of fans who feared he would miss the clash due to accumulated yellow cards.
CAF’s clarification followed widespread reports earlier on Saturday suggesting that the Leicester City star had picked up enough bookings during the qualifiers to trigger a suspension.
Cards From Qualifiers Won’t Affect Playoff Availability
In a statement shared on the Super Eagles’ official X handle, the team announced that CAF had formally clarified the situation. According to the update, yellow cards gathered during the qualification rounds do not carry over into the playoffs; only players with confirmed suspensions are ineligible.
“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.
Read also: ‘I’ll Be in the Stands’ — Lemina’s Heartfelt Message to Osimhen Before Final Clash
Ndidi was a standout performer in Thursday’s 4–1 semi-final win over Gabon. Captaining the side, he controlled the midfield with authority and set up Chidera Ejuke for Nigeria’s second goal, earning praise for his leadership and composure.
With the eligibility concerns now settled, the Super Eagles will shift full attention to Sunday’s showdown at 8 p.m. Nigerian time. The winner of the fixture will claim Africa’s sole slot in the intercontinental playoff for a chance to reach the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
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