Wilfred Ndidi has picked up a hamstring injury that will keep him sidelined for two weeks, compounding an existing one-game suspension for Besiktas at a critical stage of the Super Lig season.
Besiktas are sweating over the fitness of Super Eagles midfielder Wilfred Ndidi after the Nigerian confirmed he has sustained a hamstring injury, ruling him out for approximately two weeks. The news comes on top of a one-game suspension he was already serving following a booking in last weekend’s Istanbul derby.
Ndidi joined Besiktas from Leicester City last summer in a deal worth €8 million, and he has settled into Turkish football with minimal fuss. In 22 Super Lig appearances this season, he has contributed two goals while establishing himself as one of the most reliable defensive midfielders in the division.
The injury was confirmed via updates from Turkey on Wednesday. For fans keen on following Ndidi’s return and backing Nigerian stars in the Super Lig, you can check out the YOHAIG promo code to get started with Bet9ja.
How Did the Injury Happen?
Ndidi played 86 minutes in Besiktas’s 1-0 defeat to Fenerbahce in the Istanbul derby last weekend, a game that turned sour for the Black Eagles in more ways than one. He was cautioned by the referee for a bad tackle, earning him an automatic one-match ban that would already have ruled him out of their next fixture against Antalyaspor.
The hamstring problem, which appears to have surfaced either during or after that derby, has now extended his absence beyond just the one game. Reports from Turkey indicate a two-week spell on the sidelines, putting his availability for the Samsunspor fixture on April 19 in serious doubt.
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What Does Ndidi Miss?
With a fortnight on the treatment table, Ndidi is certain to miss the Antalyaspor game and is a significant doubt for the Samsunspor clash on April 19. Besiktas have six league games remaining in the season, and every point matters as they navigate a congested mid-table battle.
The Black Eagles currently sit 11 points behind both Trabzonspor and Fenerbahce at the top of the Super Lig table. Their continental ambitions are not dead, but they cannot afford to drop into the bottom half either. Goztepe are just six points behind them, making Ndidi’s absence particularly dangerous at this stage of the campaign.
It is worth noting that Manchester United have been linked with a move for the Nigeria international, so his fitness heading into the transfer window will attract attention beyond Istanbul. For Super Eagles fans tracking Nigerian talent in Europe and looking to place a bet on their next outing, the Bet9ja’s current promo code is worth grabbing before you sign up.
The Bigger Picture for Super Eagles
Ndidi’s importance to Besiktas reflects the growing footprint of Nigerian midfielders in European leagues. His move to Istanbul last summer was viewed with some scepticism given that Leicester were relegated from the Premier League, but he has silenced doubters by producing consistently strong performances week after week.
For the Super Eagles, his form at club level is closely watched by coach Eric Chelle, who will be assembling his squad for upcoming World Cup qualifying fixtures. Ndidi missing the final weeks of the Turkish season is not ideal preparation for those crucial national team dates, though two weeks is a manageable recovery window if there are no complications.
As reported by FootballInNigeria.com.ng, Besiktas have struggled to replicate Ndidi’s defensive discipline with other options in midfield, which underlines just how central he has become to their setup since arriving in the summer.
📌 Did You Know?
- Wilfred Ndidi was born on December 16, 1996, in Lagos, Nigeria, and began his professional career at Nath Boys FC before moving to Belgian side Genk in 2015.
- Before joining Besiktas, Ndidi spent over seven seasons at Leicester City, accumulating more than 200 Premier League appearances and becoming one of the division’s highest-rated defensive midfielders by expected goals prevented.
- Ndidi was part of the Nigeria squad at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, where the Super Eagles reached the group stage and were eliminated by Argentina.
- At his peak with Leicester, Ndidi regularly led the Premier League in tackles per game, a statistic that placed him ahead of players from Manchester City, Arsenal, and Liverpool across multiple seasons.
- The €8 million Besiktas paid for Ndidi last summer was considerably lower than the £25 million Leicester paid Genk for his services back in January 2017, reflecting the discount that comes with a relegated club selling.
- Besiktas have produced a string of Nigerian players over the years, with former Super Eagles forward Victor Nsofor among those who passed through the club’s academy system.
- The Istanbul derby between Fenerbahce and Besiktas is one of the most watched domestic club matches across Africa, with Nigerian fans regularly tracking both clubs due to the presence of Nigerian players at either side in recent seasons.
