Wilfred Ndidi: More worries for Chelle as Besiktas reveal extent of injury to Super Eagles workhorse

Turkish Super Lig giants Beşiktaş have delivered clarity on Wilfred Ndidi’s condition after the midfielder suffered an injury while representing Nigeria in their 2026 World Cup qualifier against South Africa on Tuesday, September 9, in Bloemfontein.

The 28-year-old was forced off midway through the second half, prompting manager Eric Chelle to send on Crystal Palace new signing Christantus Uche. 

In a statement, Beşiktaş confirmed that the former Leicester City star has returned to Istanbul for tests. “Scans at Acıbadem Altunizade Hospital revealed a strain and bleeding in the posterior thigh muscle, specifically the semimembranosus.”

While treatment has begun, the club has withheld any definitive timeline for his recovery, though he is expected to miss this weekend’s clash with İstanbul Başakşehir.

Ndidi’s role in Nigeria’s qualification fight

October looms with the final two rounds of fixtures: Lesotho away and Benin at home. These matches will decide Nigeria’s fate, and Ndidi’s presence or absence could tilt the balance.

The Super Eagles sit on 11 points, third in Group C, with South Africa out in front on 17. Benin remain three points clear of Nigeria, while Rwanda lurk on equal points but with a superior goal difference. 

The mathematics offer little comfort. Nigeria must take maximum points in both games, and win handsomely, to stand any chance of sneaking through. South Africa, for their part, must collapse entirely, losing both matches. Even a draw for Bafana would almost certainly shut Nigeria out of automatic qualification.

Should Nigeria finish second, the playoff route awaits, a gauntlet where only the strongest runners-up progress. A tally of 17 points, the best Chelle’s men can hope for would likely fall short. Ivory Coast, Gabon, and others are already past that threshold. For Nigeria to survive, three or more external results elsewhere on the continent would need to swing in their favour.