Wilfred Ndidi Fetes Children at Refurbished Maracana Stadium, Ajegunle

Super Eagles midfielder Wilfred Ndidi brought smiles to the faces of thousands of children on Saturday at the 2025 Maracana Children’s Fest, held at the refurbished Maracana Stadium in Tolu, Ajegunle, Lagos.

The annual event, sponsored by Ndidi, was a huge success, with over 3,000 children participating in football matches across 19 five-a-side pitches. The crowd was thrilled by the skills on display, and the excitement reached a fever pitch when Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen arrived, with children screaming his name in awe.

Ndidi was joined by several of his Super Eagles teammates, including stand-in captain William Troost-Ekong, Bayer Leverkusen’s Victor Boniface, FC Augsburg’s Frank Onyeka, Club Brugge’s Raphael Onyedika, and former international Jonathan Akpoborie.

The players’ presence was a major highlight of the event, and they were mobbed by fans and children alike.

Speaking at the event, Ndidi expressed his joy at giving back to his roots. “I feel amazed and happy,” he said. “This competition has improved over the past two years. The smiles on the kids’ faces are heart-warming.”

Ndidi explained that the idea behind inviting his fellow national team players was to create a magical moment for the children. “As a child, I loved watching football on TV, but seeing players in real life was always more exciting,” he said. “That’s why we invited the Super Eagles players – to create that magical moment for the children.”

The midfielder also emphasized the importance of preserving the legacy of the Maracana Stadium, a venue that holds a special place in the hearts of many Nigerian football fans. “Though I never played here as a child, I knew its importance,” he said. “This project helps preserve Maracana’s legacy. Our aim is to keep its name alive and inspire future champions from Ajegunle.”

Ndidi also took the opportunity to advise young talents to prioritize education. “We’ve identified talented kids already,” he said. “But it’s essential to remind them to stay in school. School is essential, no matter how talented they are.”

Programme coordinator Yemi Idowu praised the players for showing up despite their busy schedules. “They came because it’s a worthy cause,” he said. “This is the first time seven Super Eagles players are attending together. More could have come if not for the weather.”

Idowu highlighted two key achievements of the event. “We’ve shown that multi-pitch facilities are possible,” he said. “All 19 pitches hosted over 3,000 kids simultaneously. Also, our national players proved they can give back to society through time and presence.”