WILFRED Ndidi is not suspended for the 2026 World Cup African play-offs final between the Super Eagles of Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo, it has been confirmed.
The two teams clash in Rabat, Morocco tomorrow for the ticket to the six-team intercontinental play-offs scheduled for Mexico next March.
There had been fears that the Besiktas midfielder would be ineligible for the encounter having received a second yellow card in the qualifying campaign on Thursday when the Super Eagles defeated Gabon 4-1 in the first semi-final of the play-offs in Rabat.
Even Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle spoke about it, stating that the team would be able to cope without Ndidi, with Brentford’s Frank Onyeka and Club Brugge’s Raphael Onyedika on standby to step in.
The three-time African champions however revealed today that the Confederation of African Football (CAF) had provided clarity on the situation.
“CAF has confirmed that Wilfred Ndidi is eligible to feature for the Super Eagles in Sunday’s play-off clash against DR Congo,” the Super Eagles X account wrote today.
“Cautions accumulated during the World Cup qualifiers do not carry over into the play-offs; only confirmed suspensions apply.”
Since Ndidi was not serving any prior suspension, unlike centre-back Semi Ajayi who sat out the play-offs semi-final, Ndidi is in the clear.
Ajayi was suspended for the clash with Gabon because he had two yellow cards during the 10-match group stage of the qualifying campaign, but CAF says the play-offs are a new phase.