Super Eagles midfielder Wilfred Ndidi will play under a new manager at Besiktas just weeks after joining the Turkish giants, following the dismissal of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
The Norwegian was relieved of his duties on Thursday night after Besiktas were dumped out of the UEFA Europa Conference League play-offs by Swiss side Lausanne-Sport.
Solskjaer, 52, had only been appointed in January, leading the Black Eagles to a fourth-place finish in the Super Lig last season.
Wilfred Ndidi’s mixed performance over two legs in UEL playoffs
However, elimination from Europe proved decisive. Ndidi played all 90 minutes in the second leg in Istanbul, where Besiktas suffered a 1-0 defeat courtesy of Nathan Butler-Oyedeji’s goal, losing the tie 2-1 on aggregate.
Across the two matches, the Nigerian midfielder experienced contrasting fortunes.
In the first leg in Switzerland, Ndidi looked every inch the elite ball-winner, topping the contest for duels won and tackles completed. His anticipation and reading of play gave Besiktas control in midfield, while he even tested Lausanne goalkeeper Karlo Letica with a powerful long-range strike in stoppage time.
The return leg was less assured. A booking inside the opening half-hour for a foul on captain Olivier Custodio left Ndidi walking a tightrope. Caution blunted his aggression, and as Besiktas grew stretched, Lausanne took advantage, eventually finding the breakthrough that sealed Besiktas’ European exit.
The early weeks of Ndidi’s time in Turkey have therefore already produced a snapshot of upheaval. A new coach will now inherit a player of immense value, but one who must quickly adapt to the unforgiving demands of life at Besiktas.
